Biden slammed as he condemns violence outside LA synagogue, calls it 'unconscionable' and 'un-American'

WASHINGTON, DC: President Joe Biden said he was "appalled" by violent clashes that erupted between pro-Palestinian demonstrators and pro-Israel counterprotesters outside Adas Torah synagogue, an Orthodox shul, in the Pico-Robertson neighborhood of Los Angeles on Sunday, June 23.

According to NBC News, the synagogue was holding an event about real estate in Israel, and a company that has promoted property listings in Israeli settlements in the West Bank in the past was in attendance, which sparked the protest.

Student groups from the University of Southern California, Trojans for Palestine, and the Student Coalition Against Labor Exploitation shared on Instagram, "Protesters developed there first and foremost to push back against the unjust sale of occupied land to a depraved euro-amerikan settler market."

The clash between protesters and counterprotesters had punches being thrown and protest signs being used as weapons, reported NBC. A person carrying a spiked post was arrested by the police and was later cited and released.

While the violence was deemed unacceptable by Council on American-Islamic Relations office in Los Angeles Executive Director Hussam Ayloush, he shared that the demonstration sought to raise awareness about “blatant violations of both international law and human rights from agencies that seek to make a profit selling brutally stolen Palestinian land."

Welcoming a full investigation into the weekend violence, he added in his statement, "Elected officials and the mainstream media have politicized this incident as religious discrimination as opposed to a human rights issue. We call on political leaders to condemn the organizations involved in the potentially illegal sale of Palestinian land and the counter-protesters who commit violence against anti-genocide protesters with the same fervor used for rightfully condemning antisemitism.”

Presidenf Joe Biden criticizes violence

Taking to X (formerly Twitter) on Monday, June 24, President Joe Biden wrote, "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," he added.

The incident drew criticisms from other quarters as well, with California Governor Gavin Newsom tweeting, "There is no excuse for targeting a house of worship. Such antisemitic hatred has no place in California."

Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass calls violent incident 'abhorrent'

“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," Los Angeles Mayot Karen Bass shared on the day of the incident.

"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 as we talk about steps forward, together," she added.

President Joe Biden shredded online for his remarks on the violent clashes

Netizens slammed President Joe Biden in response to his post condemning the clashes.

"Selling homes in the west bank is against international law. You pathetic bought clown!" wrote a social media user.

"What are you going to do about it?" asked another user.

"They are YOUR voters bruh," stated one person.

"Now you're afraid of losing the Jewish vote," added another.

"Having your intern tweet a statement ain’t gonna cut it champ," one individual wrote.

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