Intense confrontations erupt between Palestinian supporters and opposing protesters in Los Angeles, as captured on video.
The LA PD reported dealing with two protests on Sunday in the predominantly Jewish neighborhood of Pico Robertson, near Beverly Hills. Footage from the location shows cops pushing back pro-Palestinian protesters from Adas Torah temple's entrance.
Shouts of "Free Palestine, from the river to the sea," and "long live intifada," echoed among the pro-Palestinian supporters. They blocked traffic, and videos indicate multiple physical altercations took place in the street and on sidewalks.
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass labeled the violence "disgusting" and requested increased police patrols in the Pico-Robertson area, as well as near other city houses of worship, in a press statement.
Details about how the situation intensified remain unclear, but social media shared videos depicting both groups verbally abusing, shoving, and grabbing each other outside the synagogue.
Eventually, the groups moved to nearby streets where more fights occurred, as per the videos.
One video shows two men grappling on the ground, with others seemingly kicking them. Later, one of the men, waving an Israeli flag, appears to have a bloodied face and mouth.
Other videos show an egg being thrown at a pro-Palestinian activist and a man in a Palestinian scarf being chased and assaulted on the ground by a man wearing a Jewish yarmulke or kippah.
Bystanders attempted to separate the conflicting parties during several altercations.
Protests linked to the Israel-Hamas war have caused unrest in numerous US cities since October, with both Jewish and Muslim advocacy groups reporting a surge in hate crimes and bias incidents. The Anti-Defamation League reported a 140% rise in antisemitic incidents in 2023 compared to the previous year. Meanwhile, the Council on American-Islamic Relations stated that 2023 saw the highest number of anti-Muslim bias reports in nearly three decades.
LA police began surveillance around 10:30 a.m., stated officer Tony Im to CNN. The group was ordered to disperse at some point, though no specific time was disclosed.
One individual carrying a spiked flag was arrested by the police, according to CNN. They were issued a citation for possessing a banned item during a demonstration and released from custody.
The Jewish Federation Los Angeles stated they are working to ensure community safety.
"Our Community Security Initiative (CSI) are monitoring the situation and collaborating with our local law enforcement partners to guarantee our community's safety. We will keep monitoring the situation and provide further updates as necessary," the statement read.
Rabbi Hertzel Illulian of the JEM Community Center in Beverly Hills said to CNN affiliate KCAL, "This doesn't belong here."
"But here, when it comes to Jews and Israel, everything is acceptable," Illulian lamented, referring to what he perceives as a double standard.
Gov. Gavin Newsom denounced the protesters' actions in a post on X, describing the clashes as "despicable."
"Such antisemitic sentiments have no place in California," Newsom stated.
CNN's Amanda Jackson and Paradise Afshar contributed to this report.
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In response to the escalating tensions, Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass called for increased police presence in the Pico-Robertson area and nearby houses of worship. During the confrontations, US citizens from both groups were involved, adding a domestic dimension to the international conflict.
