The riots in the US over the death of George Floyd, an African American who was in police custody, have also affected the Jewish communities across the nation.
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Jewish-owned shops in Los Angeles were particularly impacted over the weekend as rioters marched the streets.
Jonathan Friedman, who is the owner of Syd's Pharmacy & Kosher market, said he could not do a thing as a mob looted his pharmacy on Beverly Blvd.
"It was 7 p.m. when we arrived there," he told The Forward. "The police had blocked the street and was pushing off the crowds. I stood across the street and saw how the crowds are breaking into my pharmacy. We spoke to the police officers and asked them to do something but they said that their main concern is to control the damage to life more than to property. The damage to the place is huge. They stole all the narcotics and damaged the floors and entrance. I estimate the damage is over $100,000."
According to Friedman, "all Jewish businesses and temples in the area were either broken into or had graffiti tagged on their walls. I understand the demonstrator's frustration, but we have nothing to do with what happened to George Floyd." Friedman was referring to the Beverly-Fairfax district, where there are many Jewish stores and residents.
Many Jews have felt conflicted over the past few days.
On the one hand they want to show solidarity with the African American community, but on the other hand, many feel that they have been unfairly targeted by the protesters. At least four synagogues have been vandalized in recent days, some with anti-Israel graffiti that included obscene words and pro-Palestinian propaganda.
"On Melrose Ave., a few Israeli business owners decided to stay put and protect their clothing stores during Saturday night riots," The Forward reported.
"Yesterday, I left the store at 3 p.m. when I saw the crowds marching on Fairfax. But when I got back home, I watched CNN and noticed that things are getting out of hand and decided to return to the store," a shop owner told the website.
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