Police will have extra patrols on Monday after a violent clash between pro-Israeli and pro-Palestinian demonstrators outside a synagogue in the Pico-Robertson area Sunday morning.
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Just before 11 a.m., officers responded to the Abas Torah synagogue at 9040 W. Pico Blvd, according to City News Service. Pro-Palestinian demonstrators had gathered in response to a real estate event being held at the synagogue that included "representatives of housing projects in all the best Anglo neighborhoods in Israel," according to an advertisement for the event.
Pro-Palestinian groups blasted the event on social media, calling it "a blatant example of land theft."
"Racist settler expansionists are not welcome in Los Angeles," the Palestinian Youth Movement posted on Instagram, calling the sale an "effort to further occupy Palestine."
The protest was met with counter-demonstrators, some carrying Israeli flags. Heated verbal confrontations quickly grew physical. Video from the scene showed punches being thrown, people wrestled to the ground and kicked, chemical agents being sprayed and demonstrators using the handles of protest signs as weapons.
Police responded in riot gear to try and stop the clashes.
One man told KABC 7 he was punched in the nose when he walked over to see what was going on.
According to the LAPD, one person was arrested for carrying a "spiked flag" and that the individual was cited and released. The department is also investigating two reported batteries.
KTLA reported that one person suffered minor injuries, but there were no further details were given.
L.A. Mayor Karen Bass called the violence “abhorrent.”
“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,” she wrote on X.
She added that she would be meeting with interim LAPD Chief Dominic Choi on Monday to “further discuss the safety of Angelenos.”
Councilwoman Katy Yaroslavsky wrote that what happened would have been completely unacceptable anywhere in Los Angeles, “but that it was planned and carried out in front of a synagogue in the heart of LA’s Jewish community should be deeply concerning to us all.”
On Sunday night, Gov. Gavin Newsom released a statement on X calling the clash “appalling.”
“There is no excuse for targeting a house of worship. Such antisemitic hatred has no place in California,” he wrote.
On Monday, President Joe Biden released the following statement on X:
"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."
On Monday morning, the rabbi at Abas Torah synagogue told reporters he didn’t think this was the place for a pro-Palestinian demonstration.
“I would say that coming into a very predominant Jewish community and protesting in front of a synagogue is not the right place to give out your message,” he said. “Stiffened between protesting in the Federal building and coming in here really feels like a provocation and a violation.
He added that about a dozen people came into the synagogue after being pepper sprayed or hurt in some manner. He also said he wished LAPD had kept the protesters farther away from the synagogue and wishes that police had moved in sooner to prevent the violence.
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