President Biden condemned threats against Jewish worshippers at a Los Angeles synagogue after a video went viral showing clashes between anti-Israel activists and supporters of Israel over the weekend.
“I am appalled by the scenes outside Adas Torah Synagogue in Los Angeles. Intimidating Jewish people is dangerous, reprehensible, anti-Semitic and un-American,” Biden wrote on X.
“Americans have the right to peaceful protest, but blocking access to places of worship and using violence is never acceptable.”
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President Biden said he was “appalled” by the incident that took place outside a Los Angeles synagogue on Sunday. (Getty Images)
The Department of Justice (DOJ), however, declined to comment. Fox News Digital sent two questions to the DOJ early Monday morning, asking whether the department would investigate or prosecute the matter.
Sen. Tom Cotton (R-Arkansas) has suggested that Biden personally lead an investigation into the incident.
“If you were in charge of the FBI and Department of Justice you could order a search for every Hamas-supporting lunatic, just like they searched every MAGA hat-wearing grandma who was within a mile of the Capitol on January 6th,” Cotton wrote to X.
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The Justice Department, led by Attorney General Merrick Garland, did not respond to a request for comment about whether it would prosecute the case. (AP/Jacqueline Martin)
But Biden’s left-leaning allies welcomed his comments. The pro-Israel group Democratic Majority for Israel thanked Biden for “condemning the reprehensible acts that targeted Jewish worshippers at Adas Torah.”
“We thank you for your unwavering commitment to fighting anti-Semitism and your leadership in the face of such hatred,” the group wrote.
Video of the incident showed police in riot gear as pro-Palestinian and pro-Israeli activists clashed.
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On June 23, 2024, pro-Israel protesters clashed with pro-Palestinian protesters blocking access to the Adas Torah Orthodox Jewish synagogue in Los Angeles. (David Swanson/AFP via Getty Images)
In addition to Biden, Los Angeles’ progressive mayor, Karen Bass, also criticized protesters for blocking Jewish residents’ access to synagogues.
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“The violence that occurred today in Pico Robertson is abhorrent and blocking access to places of worship is unacceptable. I have asked the LAPD to increase patrols in the Pico Robertson neighborhood and outside places of worship across the city,” Bass wrote on X. “I will meet with Chief Chay tomorrow to further discuss the safety of Angelenos. I want to be clear that Los Angeles will not be a hotbed of anti-Semitism and violence. Those responsible will be found and held accountable.”
It is the latest sign of rising tensions across the country following a Hamas terror attack in southern Israel on October 7 and the subsequent Israeli invasion of Gaza to eradicate the Palestinian militant group.
