Biden Slams Synagogue Skirmish: ‘Antisemitic Protests Cross the Line’

Joe Biden issued a statement following a violent pro-Palestinian protest outside a Los Angeles synagogue on Sunday, June 23. Clashes reportedly occurred between the pro-Palestinian protesters and pro-Israel counter-protesters. The incident has been widely condemned as antisemitic.

The Los Angeles Police Department reported that officers responded to two protests on the same day in the predominantly Jewish neighborhood of Pico Robertson, located just south of Beverly Hills. Pro-Palestinian protesters are seen being pushed away from the Orthodox synagogue Adas Torah temple in videos.

Protesters were heard chanting, “Free, free Palestine – from the river to the sea” and “Long live intifada.” They blocked traffic, and multiple altercations reportedly occurred on the street and sidewalks.

After noticing fliers for the event on social media, a group of pro-Israel activists decided to hold a counter-demonstration across the street from the anti-Israel rally. Participants from both protests started shouting at each other, which soon escalated into physical altercations, with shoving, kicking, and punching captured on social media footage.

Controversies Surrounding Biden and Israel

Americans have the right to peaceful protest, but blocking access to a house of worship and engaging in violence is never acceptable,” Joe Biden stated. X reported that California Governor Gavin Newsom found the violent clashes outside the Los Angeles synagogue appalling. He added that there is no excuse for targeting a house of worship, and antisemitic hatred has no place in his state. 

Mr. Biden was accused by organizers from the antiwar activist group Code Pink of mischaracterizing the use of a place of worship to sell ‘Anglo neighborhoods’ on illegally occupied land as adhering to American values. They deemed his statement outrageous and highlighted its natural consequences.

Meanwhile, protest groups further criticized Biden for exacerbating Islamophobia with his rhetoric, citing a recent incident involving a 3-year-old Palestinian-American girl in Texas. They pointed out that Biden has not publicly addressed the crime despite the woman being charged with murder on Sunday.

Rabbi Hertzel Illulian from the nearby JEM Community Center in Beverly Hills told KCAL that violence “doesn’t belong here.” He added, “I don’t think the Jewish people would protest in front of a mosque, nor would Christians. Nobody would accept this behavior, but when it comes to Jews and Israel, everything seems permissible.”

Democrats are anxious about Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s upcoming address to Congress on July 24, which is likely to face boycotts and disruptions. Significant pro-Palestinian protests are expected at the Democratic convention in August, alongside potential renewed debates over the party platform’s stance on Israel, including the status of Jerusalem as the capital.

Biden’s Israel-Hamas Dilemma: Votes

Despite concerns about the Israel-Hamas war affecting Biden’s support among Arab Americans and progressives who support Palestinians in key states, Jewish Americans in battleground states like Pennsylvania, Michigan, Georgia, Wisconsin, and Arizona are also unsettled.

The Biden campaign has been hosting regular “Jewish Women for Joe” Zoom calls and plans to hire a faith engagement director focusing on Jewish voters. However, several Jewish leaders have privately told CNN that they haven’t seen enough direct engagement.

Multiple Jewish Democrats and voters have conveyed feelings of disappointment and abandonment by progressive allies, feeling “politically homeless” because they believe Biden hasn’t done enough and fear he can’t control his left-wing base.

Conversations about a potential shift towards Donald Trump are apparent, with several Jewish Democratic leaders expressing discomfort when asked about Jewish support for Biden. This concern is also reflected in an email from megadonor Haim Saban to Biden’s advisers, criticizing the president’s stance on restricting some munitions provided to Israel.