House Majority Leader Steve Scalise condemned the violent protest that took place outside of a Los Angeles synagogue over the weekend, and called on the Justice Department to take action.
“Everyone saw the antisemitic, pro-Hamas mob violently attack Jews outside a synagogue in L.A.” the Louisiana Republican lawmaker said in an X post Tuesday.
“The [Justice Department’s] civil rights division must take action. We all know they would if the protesters weren’t their [political] base,” he said.
A pro-Palestinian protest held outside of the California synagogue turned violent Sunday as pro-Israel counter-demonstrators showed up.
Pro-Palestinian protesters blocked traffic and were held yelling “Free, free Palestine — from the river to the sea,” and “Long live intifada.”
Police responded to the two protests and videos showed officers pushing pro-Palestinian protesters away from the doors of Adas Torah temple, CNN reported. One person was arrested for having a spike post, and L.A. police said all instances of violence will be investigated.
Several officials, including President Biden, denounced the violence, and called the protest antisemitic.
“I’m appalled by the scenes outside of Adas Torah synagogue in Los Angeles. Intimidating Jewish congregants is dangerous, unconscionable, antisemitic and un-American,” Mr. Biden wrote on social media Monday.
“Americans have a right to peaceful protest. But blocking access to a house of worship – and engaging in violence – is never acceptable,” he said.
• Mallory Wilson can be reached at mwilson@washingtontimes.com.
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