Biden condemns ‘un-American’ assault on Jews outside LA synagogue

President Joe Biden says he was ‘appalled’ after pro-Hamas mob assaulted Jews outside the Adas Torah synagogue in Los Angeles on Sunday.

By World Israel News Staff

President Joe Biden expressed outrage Monday night at a pro-Hamas mob which assaulted Jews outside of a Los Angeles synagogue over the weekend.

On Sunday, anti-Israel activists gathered outside of the Adas Torah synagogue n the heavily Orthodox Jewish Pico-Robertson neighborhood to protest an Israeli real estate event held at the synagogue.

The mob blocked Jews from entering the synagogue, and in several instances, violently assaulted them.

Footage circulating on social media from the chaotic scene showed masked anti-Israel protesters putting a Jewish woman in a headlock and shoving her to the ground.

Another video showed a man, who hid his face with a green scarf, hitting visibly Jewish passerby in an unprovoked attack.

Biden responded to the incident Monday evening, tweeting that he was “appalled” by the attacks, which he called “un-American.”

“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.”

California Governor Gavin Newsom also tweeted his condemnation of the incident, echoing Biden’s comments.

“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.”

Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass called the attacks “abhorrent” and “unacceptable.”

“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 be meeting with Chief Choi tomorrow to further discuss the safety of Angelenos,” Bass tweeted.

“I want to be clear that Los Angeles will not be a harbor for antisemitism and violence. Those responsible for either will be found and held accountable. I will be joining Councilwoman Katy Yaroslavsky, the Chief Executive Officer of the Jewish Federation Los Angeles Rabbi Noah Farkas and other law enforcement and faith leaders in a community meeting this week as we talk about steps forward, together.”