Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass and Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) were silent Sunday after an antisemitic mob targeted the Adas Torah synagogue in the Jewish neighborhood of Pico-Robertson.
Update: After this story was published (8:37 p.m. PT), Newsom (10:16 p.m.) and then Bass (10:27 p.m.) responded:
The violent clashes outside the Adas Torah synagogue in Los Angeles are appalling.
There is no excuse for targeting a house of worship. Such antisemitic hatred has no place in California.
— California Governor (@CAgovernor) June 24, 2024
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
As Breitbart News reported, dozens of pro-Palestinian activists blocked the entrance to the synagogue to prevent members of the Jewish community from attending a meeting about purchasing real estate in Israel.
Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) officers face off with pro-Palestine protesters gathered outside the Adas Torah Orthodox Jewish synagogue, preventing access, in Los Angeles, June 23, 2024. (Photo by DAVID SWANSON / AFP) (Photo by DAVID SWANSON/AFP via Getty Images)
Protesters were reported to have surrounded the synagogue and prevented people from being able to enter.
Jews around the world are considering relocating to Israel due to antisemitic violence. In addition, some Jews wish to move to Israel out of religious sentiment; to retire there; or simply to own vacation homes or investment properties there.
Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) officers with riot gear showed up as violence broke out between pro-Palestinian protesters and counter-protesters on Pico Blvd, ABC7 News reported.
The outlet noted that the confrontations between protesters and counter-protesters began with verbal confrontations, and then moved on to physical fights.
Several protesters were reportedly detained; however, law enforcement officials said nobody had been arrested, according to the outlet.
Anti-Israel protesters have gathered outside the Adas Torah Synagogue Los Angeles where an Israel real-estate fair is taking place.
According to reports from the scene, the protesters have surrounded the synagogue and are preventing Jews from entering. pic.twitter.com/TOpcRHyCaN
— Israel National News – Arutz Sheva (@ArutzSheva_En) June 23, 2024
More chaos. This is not Gaza. This is Los Angeles.
Anti-Israel protesters are physically attacking Jews in front of a synagogue in Los Angeles.
This will NOT “Free Palestine”
Where is the police?
Where is the NATIONAL GUARD?
They are trying to globalize… pic.twitter.com/W02ukcjRNA
— Afshine Emrani MD FACC (@afshineemrani) June 23, 2024
Calling for violence against Jews is always horrific. But it’s especially evil to shout it outside a synagogue at a Jewish neighborhood.
Today, outside of Adas Torah Synagogue at West Pico, LA: pic.twitter.com/WlEjq7QYIs
— Hen Mazzig (@HenMazzig) June 23, 2024
Video footage posted to X showed officers from the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) dressed in tactical gear blocking off Pico Blvd.
LAPD in tactical gear has closed off Pico Blvd in front of the Adas Torah after hours of clashes between Pro-Palestinian and Pro-Israeli protesters outside of an Israeli real estate fair inside the synagogue. @NBCLA pic.twitter.com/rQoHJFsu0r
— Anastassia Olmos (@StassiOlmos) June 23, 2024
Another video posted to X showed crowds of anti-Israel protesters walking through Jewish neighborhoods in Los Angeles chanting, “Baby killers.”
Mobs of antisemites parade through Jewish neighborhoods in Los Angeles chanting “baby killers”.
This is a pogrom in America in 2024.pic.twitter.com/GsMy1q9uSF
— Shelley G (@ShelleyGldschmt) June 24, 2024
It was the second time in three days that anti-Israel activists had targeted a Jewish house of worship in Los Angeles.
Neither Bass nor Newsom had said anything regarding the antisemitic mob that targeted the Jewish synagogue, or the subsequent violence.
Breitbart News reached out to Bass’s office but had not received a reply at the time of publication Sunday evening.