CAIR-LA Condemns LA Mayor Bass’ Biased Response to Violence at Synagogue Real Estate Event, Inclusion of Known Islamophobe in Press Conference 

Al Enteshar Newspaper

(LOS ANGELES, CA – 6/26/2024) –The Greater Los Angeles Area office of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-LA) today condemned statements made by Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass during a recent press conference addressing last Sunday’s violence at a real estate event promoting the sale of illegally occupied Palestinian land. CAIR-LA also condemned the inclusion of individuals who have openly engaged in Islamophobia in the press conference.

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On June 24, Mayor Bass spoke at a press conference held in response to the violence that broke out when pro-Israel counter-protesters confronted pro-Palestinian demonstrators who were gathered outside the Adas Torah synagogue in Los Angeles to protest a real estate event organized by an Israel-based agency that reportedly markets real estate in Israel and the illegally occupied West Bank. 

During the conference, Mayor Bass condemned the pro-Palestinian protesters and characterized the demonstration as “violent” and “abhorrent.” She did not mention the violence that was perpetrated against the pro-Palestinian protesters by pro-Israel counter-protesters or the reports that law enforcement on the scene did little to stop the violence against them. 

The press conference also reportedly included several individuals who have openly engaged in anti-Palestinian, Islamophobic, and racist rhetoric—including InfoWars host Adam King who has allegedly promoted the dehumanization and elimination of Muslims and made anti-Black statements on his public Twitter account. 

In a statement, CAIR-LA Civil Rights Managing Attorney Dina Chehata, Esq. said:

“It is clear as day that the pro-Palestine activists were protesting the unlawful and vile sale of stolen Palestinian land, not trying to block access to a place of worship. The very suggestion that pro-Palestine activists, many of whom are themselves Jewish, are antisemitic is nonsensical and dangerous. It is shameful that Mayor Bass and other government officials, including Governor Newsom and President Biden, continue to weaponize antisemitism to protect the interests of the genocidal Israeli government.

“Moreover, it is reprehensible that a formal government press conference platformed individuals like Adam King, who has very openly engaged in Islamophobic and racist rhetoric. Mayor Bass’ actions and words endanger thousands of Palestinian, Arab, Muslim, Jewish, and pro-Palestine Angelenos who stand up for human rights and dignity. It is high time that Mayor Bass and our other government officials be held accountable for the disingenuous and harmful rhetoric they are using to suppress Americans’ constitutional rights to freedom of speech and assembly.”

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Videos posted on social media show pro-Israel counter-protesters throwing eggs at pro-Palestinian protesters, spraying them with mace, and physically assaulting them. Several of the attackers have reportedly been identified as the same pro-Israel agitators who attacked peaceful student protesters at UCLA’s Gaza Solidarity Camp in April. 

CAIR-LA sent a letter to Mayor Bass calling on her to:

  1. Reform her public statement and acknowledge the critical current and historical context behind this past weekend’s pro-Palestine protests. 
  2. Meet with Jewish, Muslim, Palestinian, and Arab American community leaders, including those who have publicly spoken up in support of the pro-Palestine protesters.

CAIR-LA also called on the LAPD to thoroughly investigate the violent attacks perpetrated at the protests this past weekend, given the numerous reports we have received of pro-Israeli and Zionist perpetrators assaulting and battering pro-Palestine supporters

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Al Enteshar Newspaper

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