Biden says he’s ‘appalled’ by violent anti-Israel rally exterior LA synagogue: ‘Un-American’

WASHINGTON — President Biden stated Monday he was “appalled” by clashes exterior a Los Angeles synagogue Sunday involving anti-Israel protesters who sought to dam the constructing’s entrance.

“I’m appalled by the scenes exterior of Adas Torah synagogue in Los Angeles,” the 81-year-old president tweeted from Camp David, the place he’s spending a full week secluded from the general public whereas making ready for Thursday’s debate towards former President Donald Trump.

“Intimidating Jewish congregants is harmful, unconscionable, antisemitic, and un-American,” Biden wrote. “People have a proper to peaceable protest. However blocking entry to a home of worship — and fascinating in violence — is rarely acceptable.”

Anti-Israel protesters, many sporting keffiyehs, and Jewish worshippers fought exterior the synagogue not removed from LA’s ritzy Beverly Hills neighborhood — with not less than two folks detained through the chaos.

Different outstanding politicians condemned the violence, together with California’s Democratic nominee for Senate, Rep. Adam Schiff, who’s Jewish and represents the close by cities of Burbank and Glendale.

“Blocking entry to a synagogue. Attacking Jewish folks and their companies indiscriminately. That’s not protest. That’s pure, plain antisemitism,” Schiff tweeted. “The horrifying violence in Pico-Robertson on Sunday has completely no place in California.”

Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass stated in a press release: “I wish to be clear that Los Angeles is not going to be a harbor for antisemitism and violence. These chargeable for both will likely be discovered and held accountable.”

“I’ve referred to as on LAPD to offer further patrols within the Pico-Robertson group in addition to exterior of homes of worship all through town,” the Democrat stated.

A 69-year-old Jewish man died in November following comparable clashes in close by Thousand Oaks between pro- and anti-Israel protesters.

The rally on Sunday reportedly was organized by the Palestinian Youth Motion LA and antiwar group Code Pink — and has adopted months of different cases of antisemitism and violence through the battle within the Gaza Strip.

Biden himself has been the topic of huge demonstrations — with opponents of US help for Israel repeatedly flooding the park going through the White Home to chant “F–ok Joe Biden” and write the disparaging nickname “Genocide Joe” on landmarks such on the government mansion’s gate.

The incumbent has vacillated between outspoken help for and criticism of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s invasion of the Gaza Strip, the place not less than 5 US residents are believed to stay captive following Hamas’ Oct. 7 bloodbath of about 1,200 folks throughout southern Israel — together with 33 People.

Polls present that Biden’s help for Israel may threaten his re-election by alienating key Democratic constituencies, together with Arab American and Muslim American voters, in swing states equivalent to Michigan.