‘Doesn’t Belong Here’: Pro-Palestine And Pro-Israel Demonstrators Clash In Los Angeles In Front Of Synagogue
Violence and chaos broke out between pro-Israel and pro-Palestine demonstrators in Los Angeles on Sunday, leading to law enforcement to get involved.
The skirmish began when pro-Palestinian supporters staged a protest outside the Abas Torah synagogue in the predominately Jewish neighborhood of Pico Robertson. Demonstrators on both sides could be seen waving flags for their causes before engaging in violence. The protest was held to oppose a real estate event being held at the synagogue on Sunday by My Israel Home, a company that markets settlements in the West Bank.
The pro-Palestine activists reportedly attempted to block the people from entering the synagogue, but were countered by pro-Israel demonstrators.
Video and footage of the violence was posted on social media. LA videographer Sean Beckner-Carmitchel captured some of the most intense moments between the demonstrators, including LAPD pushing Palestine activists outside of the area and fights where protesters were left bloodied with bear mace in the air.
The photojournalist also said he was attacked by protestors in the pro-Israel camp and filed a police report.
A pro-Palestinian protest outside of Adas Torah is here, blocking entrance. LAPD arriving with less lethal. In Pico-Robertson, Los Angeles, CA. pic.twitter.com/mhVQQgCQbq
— acatwithnews (@ACatWithNews) June 23, 2024
LAPD pushing pro-Palestine demonstrator back. There’s also pro-Israel demonstrators mixed in the crowd.
The area directly in front of the synagogue is clear and things are now things are spilled onto Pico.
Pico-Robertson, Los Angeles, CA pic.twitter.com/cEQ32J3iAb
— acatwithnews (@ACatWithNews) June 23, 2024
LAPD Officers watching Pro-Palestine demonstrators being shoved and hit by pro-Israel group. Pro-Palestine demonstrators pleading with officers for help. pic.twitter.com/gn8gEqfmy6
— acatwithnews (@ACatWithNews) June 24, 2024
Video and a still taken before I was hit several times by several in the pro-Israel crowd.
By the way, I’m alright and have filed a police report. pic.twitter.com/2iffHL5p7E
— acatwithnews (@ACatWithNews) June 24, 2024
This is @ACatWithNews being attacked:
“Fuck him up. Fuck him up. Fuck him up.” pic.twitter.com/FIXpxBMwsI
— Film The Police LA (@FilmThePoliceLA) June 24, 2024
Pro-Israel accounts claimed that Palestine demonstrators “pinned” a pro-Israel woman to the ground and put her in a “chokehold” that left her “bloodied” during the protest.
Horrific moment pro-Israel woman is pinned to the ground and put in a chokehold, leaving her bloodied after being savagely assaulted by a pro-Palestine protester in the Jewish neighborhood of Pico-Robertson, LA.
— Oli London (@OliLondonTV) June 23, 2024
Things escalating quickly, updating as quickly as possible. Another large violent event happens as several police officers go into the crowd. LAPD and Magen Am and a few protesters chasing one pro-Palestinian demonstrator. Another scuffle occurs nearby.
Pico-Robertson, LA, CA pic.twitter.com/eRBGmqIwl5
— acatwithnews (@ACatWithNews) June 23, 2024
“Doesn’t belong here,” Rabbi Hertzel Illulian told CBS News of the protest, . “I don’t think the Jewish would go in front of a mosque or the Christian people would go in front of a mosque to do such a thing, nobody would accept this, but here, when it comes to Jews and Israel everything is kosher, everything is okay.”
The number of arrests and injuries has not been reported publicly at this time.
