Police arrested two people on Wednesday after a protest at a Koreatown temple escalated into clashes. The riot followed a demonstration at the Wilshire Boulevard Temple’s Audrey Yirmas Pavilion, led by Israeli defense technicians.
Los Angeles police arrived at the scene just after 10 a.m., Los Angeles Police Department spokesman Jeff Lee said in an interview. There, they detained two people who had been detained by temple security during the riot.
“They blocked the sidewalk and the temple staff could not leave,” Li claimed. “Police responded and dispersed the crowd.”
Rabbi Joel Nickerson, speaking on behalf of Wilshire Boulevard Temple Church, described the incident as a “disturbing outburst of hatred that resulted in arrests for assault and destruction of property.” He said in a statement that the individuals “targeted the Jewish community” and disrupted an event intended to “promote public safety in Koreatown.”
“No one in the city of Los Angeles should be targeted because of their beliefs,” he said.
The demonstration was organized by Korean community development organization Nodutdol and Palestinian Koreatown in opposition to a private public safety seminar hosted by the Israeli consulate at the Audrey Yilmas Pavilion. In a statement circulated ahead of the event, protest organizers urged the temple “not to welcome war criminals and genocides.”
According to event materials, speakers focused on “artificial intelligence-driven security tools” that communities can use to “strengthen local security without relying entirely on government agencies” and discussed security challenges “during pro-Palestinian protests.” The show features an Israeli defense spokesman and a Korean missionary.
The protesters were particularly opposed to the keynote speaker, Goni Saar, an artificial intelligence researcher at Elbit Systems. The Israel-based defense company produces drones, electronic warfare technology, cybersecurity systems and munitions.
“We know these technologies are designed to target Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank and will do the same to vulnerable communities in Ktown,” the group posted on its Facebook account.
The organization uses Artificial Intelligence Monitoring System in the war-torn Gaza Strip. Israel already uses artificial intelligence systems on the battlefield to compile potential targets, also known as “kill lists,” according to the Lieber Institute for Law and War.
“We do not trust Elbit Systems and the genocidal state of Israel, which has attacked five neighboring countries in the past two years and used their technology to attack humanitarian relief sites, refugee camps and hospitals, to make Los Angeles safer,” the group said.
Organizers could not be reached for comment.
Mayor Karen Bass said she has heard reports of individuals at protests using anti-Semitic slurs and causing damage to property inside the temple. Officials at the Wilshire Boulevard Temple said protesters knocked over a vase during the argument.
“This behavior is abhorrent and has no place in Los Angeles,” she said. “The City of Los Angeles and [Wilshire Boulevard Temple] and strongly condemned these attacks. “
Bass said she spoke with Rabbi Nickerson More LAPD patrols deployed Go to a place of worship in Koreatown.
Los Angeles City Attorney. Heidi Feldstein-Soto issued a statement confirming that her office will further investigate the incident.
“The descriptions I got described the conduct of criminal activity that crossed the line,” she said. “Our office will review referrals from law enforcement and prosecute any criminal conduct to the fullest extent of the law.”
