Protester for Palestine holds a sign saying “Palestine is not for sale” Protest at BAYT synagogue over it hosting a real estate event showcasing land in illegal West Bank settlements. R.J. Johnston/Toronto Star via Getty Images

By Aalia Lanius, UNSUGARCOATED Media

June 24, 2024⎯The recent protest at a Los Angeles the Adas Torah temple, an orthodox synagogue, hosting an illegal real estate event to facilitate the sale of land from Palestine, resulting in a brawl between protestors and Zionists, has brought to light the deep-seated tensions and complex dynamics of the Zionist-Palestinian conflict. In the aftermath, both the city and California governor have condemned the incident, labeling it an act of anti-Semitism. However, this condemnation neglects the broader context and the profound emotional toll on the Palestinian and Arab communities in Los Angeles and the country as these illegal and tasteless events are hosted on American soil. The reaction from officials such as Governor Gavin Newsom and Mayor Karen Bass fails to consider the traumatic experiences of these communities, who are already reeling from the ongoing violence and devastation in Palestine as a genocide rages on.

The Incident and Its Immediate Fallout

Marketing for a real estate event at the synagogue.

The protest at the Los Angeles synagogue this past June 23rd, ostensibly organized to oppose the sale of land stolen from Palestinians, quickly escalated into a physical confrontation. The presence of Zionists who became aggressive exacerbated the situation, leading to a brawl. In response, Governor Newsom and Mayor Bass issued statements condemning the violence and framing it as an instance of anti-Semitism. While their concern for maintaining public order is understandable, their statements lack a nuanced understanding of the deeper issues at play.

Overlooking Palestinian and Arab Suffering

The Zionist-Palestinian conflict is not a distant geopolitical issue for many residents of Los Angeles; it is a personal and painful reality. The Palestinian, Arab and anti-Zionist Jewish communities in the city have been deeply affected by the ongoing genocide that has been ongoing since the uprising attempt by Hamas on October 7, 2023. The situation has deteriorated significantly, with bombings and military actions leading to the loss of countless innocent lives.

Ralph Nader, an American political activist, author, lecturer, and attorney, published an article in March 2024 that estimated then that at least 200,000 people had been killed by Israeli forces, with more dying horrific deaths daily due to lack of essential healthcare, medication, food and water. These numbers far exceed the typical numbers put forth by media outlets that seem to have stalled since late 2023 in low double digits despite daily videos of mass death occurring in both Gaza and occupied West Bank, where settler violence and illegal raids by Israeli forces continue to terrorize defenseless and innocent Palestinians, including children. Since October, Israeli forces have abducted over 650 children, as young as the age of 7, and are holding them without charge or allowing family members to know where they are being held. Reports that these children, as well as other hostages taken by Israeli forces, are often tortured and subjected to inhumane treatment.

For these communities, the sale of land in Palestine is not a mere transaction but a continuation of a historical and ongoing injustice as part of the Zionist modern colonization project. A colonization project that has relied upon the strategy of demonizing and criminalizing Palestinian resistance to a brutal, illegal occupation where land is continually being stolen and human rights denied.

The Failure of Leadership

Governor Newsom and Mayor Bass have continually missed an opportunity to acknowledge and address the legitimate grievances of Palestinian and Arab families in their constituency. By focusing solely on condemning the protest as anti-Semitic, they ignore the broader context of the conflict and the suffering it causes. This one-sided condemnation not only alienates a significant portion of their constituents but also fails to foster a constructive dialogue on the issue.

The Complexity of Anti-Semitism

It is crucial to recognize that anti-Semitism is a serious problem that must be addressed, especially when viewed through the lens that Palestinians are also Semites. The oppression and violence they face should not be dismissed or overshadowed by false accusations of anti-Semitism. There is a growing awareness that those accused of such an offense are often grossly mischaracterized when the issue is not with a person’s Jewish identity but rather with Zionism, a political ideology. Furthermore, conflating legitimate criticism of Israeli policies and Zionism with anti-Semitism is both misleading and counterproductive. True solidarity with all Semitic peoples, including Palestinians, requires a balanced and empathetic approach.

Emotional Exhaustion and the Need for Empathy

The Palestinian and Arab families in Los Angeles, and the greater world, are emotionally exhausted. They witness the carnage of innocent men, women, and children in their homeland and then face the added trauma of seeing land sales that symbolize the erasure of their history and identity. The bombings and military campaigns that have ravaged Gaza and the West Bank leave scars that are not easily healed. The bodies of the dead, often buried under rubble for days, are a haunting reminder of the human cost of this Palestinian Holocaust and the fault of the Zionist ideology behind it. 

A Call for Comprehensive Understanding

Governor Newsom and Mayor Bass must expand their understanding of the situation. Their leadership should reflect an awareness of the pain and suffering experienced by Palestinian, Arab communities and anti-Zionist Jewish community. Condemning violence and maintaining public order are important, but so is recognizing and addressing the legitimate grievances that drive such protests. A more comprehensive and empathetic approach would involve:

1. Acknowledging Palestinian Suffering: Publicly recognizing the suffering and trauma of Palestinian and Arab communities in Los Angeles.
2. Encouraging Dialogue: Facilitating open and inclusive dialogue that considers the perspectives of all affected communities.
3. Promoting Justice: Advocating for policies that promote justice and human rights for all people in the region, including Palestinians.

The recent events at the Los Angeles synagogue highlight the need for a more balanced and empathetic approach to the Zionist-Palestinian conflict. Where is the outrage over the sale of Palestinian land on American soil in the midst of a genocide? Governor Newsom and Mayor Bass have a responsibility to consider the emotional and psychological toll on Palestinian and Arab families in their community, as well as anti-Zionists Jewish community members that do not endorse a genocide in their name. By broadening their perspective and addressing the root causes of the protest, they can foster a more inclusive and just response to one of the most pressing issues of our time.