Pro-Palestinian Protest Outside LA Synagogue Prompts Violent Clashes, Criticism From Biden
Summary from the AllSides News Team
Clashes erupted between pro-Israeli and pro-Palestinian protesters outside a synagogue in Los Angeles, CA on Sunday, drawing criticism from several Democratic leaders.
The Details: Pro-Palestinian protesters gathered outside the Adas Torah synagogue, where an Israeli real estate fair was being held; the fair was reportedly not organized by the synagogue itself. A social media post by a protester accused the fair of supporting “settler expansion” and “selling homes to build ‘Anglo neighborhoods’ in Palestine.” They were soon met by pro-Israeli counter-protesters, and clashes ensued, including shoving and fistfights.
For Context: “Divestment” from Israel has been a main demand of previous pro-Palestinian protests. The Jewish Shabbat occurs on Saturdays, unlike the Christian Sunday Sabbath.
Key Quote: On X, Biden wrote: “I’m appalled by the scenes outside of Adas Torah synagogue in Los Angeles. Intimidating Jewish congregants is dangerous, unconscionable, antisemitic, and un-American. Americans have a right to peaceful protest. But blocking access to a house of worship – and engaging in violence – is never acceptable.”
How The Media Covered It: Coverage generally echoed past divides on pro-Palestinian protests. Much of the criticism centered around the protest blocking entry to a house of worship — potentially framing it as an attack on Judaism. However, only a handful of articles seen by AllSides — including from CNN (Lean Left bias) and Breitbart (Right bias) — noted that a meeting about purchasing real estate in Israel was occurring at the time of the protest.
Featured Coverage of this Story
From the Left
Pro-Palestinian protest outside LA synagogue criticized as ‘antisemitic’ after street fights with pro-Israel protesters![AllSides Media Bias Rating: Lean Left AllSides Media Bias Rating: Lean Left](https://www.allsides.com/sites/default/files/bias-leaning-left.png)
![](https://www.allsides.com/sites/default/files/styles/feature_image_300x200/public/gettyimages-2158420170.jpg?itok=coomPAsS)
A pro-Palestinian protest held outside a Los Angeles synagogue devolved into chaotic street violence with pro-Israel counter-protesters on Sunday in an incident that several officials, including President Joe Biden, criticized as antisemitic.
The Los Angeles Police Department said it responded to two protests Sunday in the predominantly Jewish neighborhood of Pico Robertson, just south of Beverly Hills. Videos taken at the scene show police pushing pro-Palestinian protesters away from the entrance of the Adas Torah temple, an Orthodox synagogue.
Chants of “Free, free Palestine - from the river to the...
From the Center
Violent clashes erupt between pro- and anti-Israel protesters outside LA synagogue![AllSides Media Bias Rating: Center AllSides Media Bias Rating: Center](https://www.allsides.com/sites/default/files/bias-center.png)
![](https://www.allsides.com/sites/default/files/styles/feature_image_300x200/public/AFP__20240624__34YL7K3__v1__HighRes__UsIsraelPalestinianConflict-640x400.jpg?itok=puQ3TSsg)
Violent clashes broke out Sunday between pro- and anti-Israel demonstrators in Los Angeles after the latter held a protest outside the Adas Torah synagogue, where an Israeli real estate fair was being held.
According to the LA Times, one person was arrested for allegedly carrying a “spiked flag.”
CBS News reported that police officers with weapons drawn detained two people who were shouting at protesters from a car. Officers were seen taking a toddler from the vehicle.
According to reports, pro-Palestinian, anti-Israel protesters attempted to block the entrance to the synagogue on Pico...
From the Right
Gavin Newsom, Karen Bass Silent as Antisemitic Mob Targets L.A.; UPDATE: Governor, Mayor Respond![AllSides Media Bias Rating: Right AllSides Media Bias Rating: Right](https://www.allsides.com/sites/default/files/bias-right.png)
![](https://www.allsides.com/sites/default/files/styles/feature_image_300x200/public/Gavin-Newsom-Karen-Bass-Getty-640x480.jpg?itok=8iTzjTn4)
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass and Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) were silent Sunday after an antisemitic mob targeted the Adas Torah synagogue in the Jewish neighborhood of Pico-Robertson.
Update: After this story was published (8:37 p.m. PT), Newsom (10:16 p.m.) and then Bass (10:27 p.m.) responded:
As Breitbart News reported, dozens of pro-Palestinian activists blocked the entrance to the synagogue to prevent members of the Jewish community from attending a meeting about purchasing real estate in Israel.
Protesters were reported to have surrounded the synagogue and prevented people from being able to enter.
Jews...
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