On Sunday, tensions boiled over into physical altercations outside the Adas Torah synagogue in the Pico-Robertson area of Los Angeles, as pro-Palestinian demonstrators and Israel supporters engaged in violent clashes, according to a report by the Los Angeles Times.
The confrontation, which began at approximately 11 a.m. on the 9000 block of West Pico Boulevard, saw both sides resorting to pushing and punching. Inside the synagogue, an Israeli real estate agency was hosting an aliyah info session for interested LA residents. Mortgage advisors, attorneys, and real estate agents had begun meeting with prospective clients at noon.
Avi Nefoussi, a real estate agent working the event held in the synagogue, told Israel Hayom: "They targeted our event because they think we're showing Palestinian land for sale." The mob was "so aggressive, loud, and violent" that the company had to quickly call for extra security, "even a helicopter showed up." Nefoussi said he was scared for his life and was told by the event coordinators, "If they storm in, here are the emergency exit options." In a client meeting, Nefoussi recounted, "the couple was considering making aliyah in the future but are now considering it much sooner." "I think it is 1000% the time to get out of LA," he concluded.
Los Angeles Police Officer Tony Im stated that the riot was initiated by pro-Palestinian protesters, who were met with opposition from demonstrators waving Israeli flags. Videos shared on social media captured several instances of violence, with some pro-Palestinian rioters wielding protest sign handles and sticks as weapons. Police in riot gear were deployed to the scene, where they witnessed heated verbal exchanges and physical scuffles.
Cops should've busted out the nightsticks pic.twitter.com/W3ESiAjCPn
— Modern 🇮🇱 Talmud (@ModernTalmud) June 24, 2024
Ellie Anderson, a witness who was eating lunch with her parents at a restaurant in full view of the brawl, told Israel Hayom: "Everyone was so angry, screaming and fighting. My friend was sprayed with pepper spray in the eyes." Melanie Anderson, her mother, noted that she, "was amazed how intense these people were," and questioned, "Have they even been to Israel?" Geoffrey Anderson, Ellie's father, recalled: "A guy yelled 'intifada' and spit on a Jew, and then the Jewish guy responded and slapped him across the face."
During the incident, authorities made a single arrest, charging the individual with a misdemeanor for allegedly possessing a "spiked flag," which is considered a prohibited item at protests. Police did not provide further information about the person arrested.
Footage recorded by onlookers seemed to show law enforcement officers detaining at least two pro-Palestinian rioters from an SUV near the intersection of Pico Boulevard and Wetherly Drive. The video also showed an LAPD officer removing a young child from the vehicle's back seat.
Antisemitic mob blocking Jews from entering Adas Torah Synagogue in LA today, assaulting them and spraying them with BEAR SPRAY.
DEPORT EVERY SINGLE ONE OF THEM. pic.twitter.com/xg4HIpnYaz
— Modern 🇮🇱 Talmud (@ModernTalmud) June 24, 2024
In an interview with KCAL News, Rabbi Hertzel Illulian, the founder of the JEM Community Center in Beverly Hills, expressed his disapproval of the demonstration's location, stating, "Such protests don't belong in front of a synagogue. I don't believe Jewish or Christian people would stage similar demonstrations outside a mosque."
