Pro-Palestinian Protest Outside LA Synagogue Prompts Violent Clashes, Criticism From Biden

Clashes erupted between pro-Israeli and pro-Palestinian protesters outside a synagogue in Los Angeles, CA on Sunday, drawing criticism from several Democratic leaders. 

The Details: Pro-Palestinian protesters gathered outside the Adas Torah synagogue, where an Israeli real estate fair was being held; the fair was reportedly not organized by the synagogue itself. A social media post by a protester accused the fair of supporting “settler expansion” and “selling homes to build ‘Anglo neighborhoods’ in Palestine.” They were soon met by pro-Israeli counter-protesters, and clashes ensued, including shoving and fistfights.

For Context: “Divestment” from Israel has been a main demand of previous pro-Palestinian protests. The Jewish Shabbat occurs on Saturdays, unlike the Christian Sunday Sabbath. 

Key Quote: On X, Biden wrote: “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 – is never acceptable.”

How The Media Covered It: Coverage generally echoed past divides on pro-Palestinian protests. Much of the criticism centered around the protest blocking entry to a house of worship — potentially framing it as an attack on Judaism. However, only a handful of articles seen by AllSides — including from CNN (Lean Left bias) and Breitbart (Right bias) — noted that a meeting about purchasing real estate in Israel was occurring at the time of the protest.