In the heart of Los Angeles, a peaceful Sunday turned into a battleground as pro-Palestinian activists clashed violently with pro-Israel demonstrators outside a synagogue, drawing condemnation from the Israeli government and sparking a delayed response from local officials.

Israeli government spokesman David Mencer on Monday condemned the "absolutely shocking" violent protest by pro-Palestinian activists outside a synagogue in Los Angeles, California, which occurred on Sunday.
Pro-Palestinian demonstrators blocked the entrance to the Orthodox Jewish synagogue Adas Torah in the predominantly Jewish Pico-Robertson neighborhood. This prevented community members from attending a meeting about real estate investment in Israel.
Violent clashes ensued between the pro-Palestinian activists and pro-Israel counter-demonstrators who had come to defend the synagogue. Security officers and the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) also clashed with the pro-Palestinian protesters.
In a briefing with journalists, Mencer condemned the "absolutely shocking images of Jews being attacked, [and] violence on the streets of Los Angeles." He added, "And where do they attack? Outside a synagogue. ... This is Jew-hatred. ... Even if you are on the Palestinian side, why do you go outside a synagogue where Jews go to pray?"
Mencer expressed Israel's confidence in U.S. authorities to take "strong and decisive action to protect Jewish communities," and offered any necessary support from Israel.
Mencer also conveyed a message to Jews in Los Angeles and around the world:
"The way to face down this Jew-hatred is not to hide behind ever higher and higher walls, but it is for Jewish people to wear their identity with pride. We have faced many, many difficult times; we will overcome this one, as we have overcome others in the past."
California Governor Gavin Newsom and Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass, both Democrats, took hours to respond, condemning the antisemitic violence only after Breitbart News published an article pointing out their delay.