President Joe Biden joined other Democratic officials in condemning violent scenes outside of the Adas Torah synagogue in Los Angeles.
“Intimidating Jewish congregants is dangerous, unconscionable, antisemitic, and un-American,” Biden posted on X. “Americans have a right to peaceful protest. But blocking access to a house of worship — and engaging in violence — is never acceptable.”
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…
— President Biden (@POTUS) June 24, 2024
Pro-Palestinian protesters clashed with pro-Israel demonstrators outside of the synagogue on Sunday, the Wall Street Journal reported, blocking the entrance in the process.
Several protesters not only shouted slogans but also punched, shoved, or yelled at each other. Adas Torah is located in a heavily Jewish neighborhood of Los Angeles. Antisemitic incidents have been on the rise in the United States, and other Democratic officials joined Biden in condemning the clashes.
“I want to be clear that Los Angeles will not be a harbor for antisemitism and violence,” Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass posted. “Those responsible for either will be found and held accountable.”
Today’s violence in the Pico-Robertson neighborhood today was abhorrent, and blocking access to a place of worship is unacceptable. I’ve called on LAPD to provide additional patrols in the Pico-Robertson community as well as outside of houses of worship throughout the city. I’ll…
— Mayor Karen Bass (@MayorOfLA) June 24, 2024
Gov. Gavin Newsom chimed in as well, posting: “There is no excuse for targeting a house of worship. Such antisemitic hatred has no place in California.”
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Biden has struggled with reconciling his historic support for Israel with a growing pro-Palestinian faction of his party.
The president has called for a conditional ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas conflict that began with the terrorist attacks of Oct. 7, but he has been trailed by protesters almost everywhere he travels since then.