Scattered bouts of violence and fistfights broke out Sunday during dueling protests over the fighting in the Middle East in the predominantly Jewish neighborhood of Pico-Robertson.
Los Angeles Police Department officers were first dispatched to the 9000 block of Pico Boulevard after learning of the ongoing incident, according to officers.
It reportedly started when pro-Palestinian supporters gathered outside the Abas Torah Synagogue and attempted to block the entrance, where they were promptly met by pro-Israel protesters.
You could see both sides with flags and signs supporting their individual goals.
SkyCal flew overhead as the protests sometimes escalated into violence, with people kicking and punching as the large crowd moved through the area streets.
“Doesn’t belong here,” Rabbi Hertzel Illulian said when asked about the violence in the area. “I don’t think the Jews would go for a mosque or the Christian people would go for a mosque to do something like that. No one would accept this, but here, when it comes to Jews and Israel, everything is kosher. , everything is alright.”
LAPD officers dressed in riot gear formed skirmish lines and at one point declared an unlawful assembly. Despite this, the chaos continued for hours and lasted until around 5pm on Sunday evening.
Several video footage showed a swarm of LAPD officers with guns drawn arresting two people who shouted at protesters from a Range Rover. After handcuffing the two adults, officers could be seen taking a toddler who was in a car seat from the back of the car.
A large number of LAPD officers could be seen working to disperse the gathering.
Following the incident, the United Jewish Coalition released a statement, which read in part:
“The Jews of Los Angeles are no longer safe. The events of June 23 brought to life the darkest nightmare that many of us hoped we would never experience on American soil.”
LAPD says one person was arrested during the incident.
No serious injuries were reported, but several protesters could be seen nursing their wounds as SkyCal continued to fly over the area throughout the early evening.
Late Sunday, Governor Gavin Newsom issued a statement that day.
“The violent clashes outside the Adas Torah Synagogue in Los Angeles are horrific. There is no excuse for attacking a house of worship. Such anti-Semitic hatred has no place in California,” his post on
LA Mayor Karen Bass also released a statement, saying:
“Today’s violence in the Pico-Robertson neighborhood was abhorrent and blocking access to a place of worship is unacceptable. I have called on the LAPD to provide additional patrols in the Pico-Robertson community as well as outside houses of worship throughout the city. I am meeting with Chief Choi tomorrow to further discuss the safety of Angelenos.
I want to be clear that Los Angeles will not be a haven for anti-Semitism and violence. Those responsible for this will be found and held accountable. I will join Assemblywoman Katy Yaroslavsky, the Chief Executive Officer of the Jewish Federation, Rabbi Noah Farkas of Los Angeles, and other law enforcement and faith leaders in a community meeting as we discuss steps forward together.
