Politicians are joining leaders of Los Angeles’ Jewish community in condemning the actions of pro-Palestinian demonstrators who they say blocked access to a synagogue on Sunday, resulting in fistfights.
The violence erupted outside Adas Torah in L.A.’s heavily Jewish Pico-Robertson neighborhood.
Witnesses say the protestors, who oppose Israel’s military response to the Oct. 7, 2023, Hamas attack on civilians – blocked congregants from entering the synagogue, leading to skirmishes that left some people bloodied.
Police eventually formed a skirmish line and brought the situation under control.
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Pro-Palestinian and pro-Israeli demonstrators clash outside synagogue in L.A. Pico-Robertson neighborhood on June 23, 2024. (X: @LosAngeles_Scan) -
Pro-Palestinian and pro-Israeli demonstrators clash outside synagogue in L.A. Pico-Robertson neighborhood on June 23, 2024. (X: @LosAngeles_Scan) -
Protesters and counter-demonstrators are seen outside Adas Torah in Los Angeles on June, 23, 2024. (Photo by Shay Horse/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
“[Sunday’s] violence in the Pico-Robertson neighborhood today was abhorrent, and blocking access to a place of worship is unacceptable,” said L.A. Mayor Karen Bass. “I want to be clear that Los Angeles will not be a harbor for antisemitism and violence. Those responsible for either will be found and held accountable.”
Bass said LAPD was increasing patrols in the Pico-Robertson neighborhood and outside other houses of worship in the city in response to the unrest.
President Joe Biden also condemned the demonstration as antisemitic.
“I’m appalled by the scenes outside of Adas Torah synagogue in Los Angeles,” Biden said in a post on X, formerly Twitter. “Intimidating Jewish congregants is dangerous, unconscionable, antisemitic, and un-American.”
The synagogue says some members of the Jewish community were “maced and bear sprayed” by the demonstrators.
Bass, City Councilmember Katy Yaroskavsky, law enforcement and Jewish community leaders scheduled an afternoon news conference at L.A.’s Museum of Tolerance to address Sunday’s incident, which was the worst violence surrounding the Israel-Hamas war in L.A. since April 30, when pro-Israel demonstrators attacked a pro-Palestinian encampment on the campus of UCLA.