Following the violent protest yesterday, US President Joe Biden blasts conduct of anti-Israel protesters who attempted to block Jewish congregants from entering a synagogue in Los Angeles.
“I’m appalled by the scenes outside of Adas Torah synagogue in Los Angeles. Intimidating Jewish congregants is dangerous, unconscionable, anti-Semitic, and un-American,” reads a tweet from US President Joe Biden’s X account.
“Americans have a right to peaceful protest. But blocking access to a house of worship — and engaging in violence — is never acceptable,” he adds.
Protesters could be heard chanting for an intifada and reportedly used dousing bear spray on Jewish attendees, leading to clashes that had to be broken up by police.
Biden expressed shock at the events outside Adas Torah synagogue in Los Angeles in a post on social media site X. Threatening Jewish worshipers is unsafe, unethical, anti-Semitic, and against American values.
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass also criticised the attack, stating that the violence was "abhorrent" and emphasized that preventing access to a religious institution was not tolerated.
Bass mentioned that she requested the Los Angeles Police Department to increase patrols in Pico-Robertson and around places of worship across the city.
Councilwoman Katy Yaroslavsky, who represents the region, described the violence as anti-Semitic and expressed particular worry that it occurred "outside a synagogue in the core of LA's Jewish community."
Yaroslavsky stated that everyone has the right to protest and also the right to be protected from fear and violence