LOS ANGELES — From the White House to Los Angeles City Hall, political and community leaders are condemning the violence that erupted during a pro-Palestinian demonstration at a Southern California synagogue over the weekend.
President Joe Biden responded to the violence in a post on X on Monday, saying he was “appalled by the scenes” that unfolded outside a synagogue in the Pico-Robertson neighborhood of Los Angeles.
“Threatening Jewish people is dangerous, reprehensible, anti-Semitic and un-American,” Biden wrote. “Americans have a right to peaceful protest, but blocking access to places of worship and using violence is never acceptable.”
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass on Monday condemned the violence and outlined a series of steps the city is taking to prevent further incidents.
“The violence that took place yesterday in the Pico-Robertson neighborhood was abhorrent,” Bass said. “Cutting off access to a place of worship is completely unacceptable. What we witnessed was anti-Semitism in the heart of the Jewish community.”
Bass said he has asked the Los Angeles Police Department to conduct additional patrols in the Pico-Robertson area and other places of worship in the city.
She said she is working with other religious leaders to develop strategies to prevent further violence, and is also working with state elected officials to increase funding for public safety.
She will also be looking at issues such as how the city will issue permits for protests and the issue of wearing masks at protests.
“Los Angeles does not tolerate anti-Semitism,” she added. “Los Angeles does not tolerate violence, and please know that those responsible on either side will be found and held accountable.”
Violent clashes broke out near the Adas Torah synagogue in the Pico-Robertson area as pro-Palestinian protesters clashed with counter-protesters.
The clashes reportedly occurred when pro-Palestinian protesters demonstrated in front of the Adas Torah synagogue on Sunday, blocking access to the house of worship.
The Council on American-Islamic Relations issued a statement Monday drawing a link between the protests and an event at a synagogue promoting the purchase of property in Israel and disputed areas of the West Bank.
What began as a heated argument escalated into a bloody fight. Videos posted to social media showed punches, people being thrown to the ground and kicked. Some social media posts suggested the incident began when pro-Palestinian protesters tried to block entry to the synagogue.
Police in riot gear showed up to restore order.
Violent clashes broke out in the Pico Robertson area as pro-Palestinian protesters clashed with anti-Palestinian protesters.
A statement from the Council on American-Islamic Relations sought to focus on the synagogue’s role in hosting the real estate event.
“The weekend demonstration in front of Adas Torah synagogue was a protest against the blatant violation of international law and human rights by entities seeking to profit from the sale of brutally stolen Palestinian land as the Israeli government continues its eight-month genocide and ethnic cleansing in Gaza,” CAIR said. “The decision by Shaari Zedek and Adas Torah synagogues to hold an event promoting segregated settlements, where only Jews are allowed to reside, on illegally occupied Palestinian land is deplorable and goes against the morality that religious organizations are expected to uphold.”
The synagogue’s rabbi said the violence was a provocation and a violation.
“People were afraid to go inside and were prevented from going in. We had to sneak congregants inside to pray… These protests are truly a violation of sacred space,” Rabbi Dovid Leva said.
Police are investigating two reported cases of assault and said one person had been arrested for possession of a prohibited item, a “spiked flag.”
“The violent clash outside Adas Torah Synagogue in Los Angeles is awful. There is no excuse for targeting a house of worship. This type of anti-Semitic hatred has no place in California,” Governor Gavin Newsom said in a post on social platform X.
The Jewish Federation of Los Angeles released a statement saying its Community Safety Initiative was “monitoring the situation and working with local law enforcement to ensure the safety of our community.”
The initiative began in 2012 to combat the growing threat of terrorism and works to protect all Jewish schools, synagogues, summer camps and organizations within Los Angeles County.
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