Los Angeles violence as Palestinian crowds attack Jews in street amid Middle-East tensions
LOS ANGELES has seen violent clashes amid reports of pro-Palestinians gangs roaming around the city appearing to target members of the Jewish community.
Los Angeles: Pro-Palestinian group attack diners at restaurant
The violence has erupted after gangs of pro-Palestinian reportedly drove through the largely Jewish neighbourhoods of La Cienega and Beverly Hills in the US city of Los Angeles. The gang is believed to have begun hurling abuse and objects at Jewish people sitting at restaurants and walking the streets. It comes as tensions in the Middle East worsen as Israel and militants in Gaza continue to clash amid hopes of a ceasefire.
It comes as one diner told local LA news outlet California Globe that several cars had driven through West Hollywood flying Palestinian flags and shouting abuse at passersby.
He said: "Suddenly I see glass flying at us.
“Suddenly a few guys from the cars started running toward me, then 15-20 guys were running at us.
"They see I am Arabic, but then a big guy jumps at me and hits me. I hit back.”
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Meanwhile, anti-semitic hate crimes have risen in Britain amid the ongoing violence between Israel and Palestinian armed groups in Gaza which erupted over a week ago.
On Monday, footage emerged of cars displaying the Palestinian flag driving through North London as a passenger with a megaphone hurled obscene anti-Jewish rhetoric.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson later led condemnation of the incident, saying: "There is no place for anti-Semitism in our society.
"Ahead of Shavuot, I stand with Britain's Jews who should not have to endure the type of shameful racism we have seen."
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Labour's Sir Keir Starmer also issued a strong condemnation saying: "Anti-Semitism, misogyny and hate have no place on our streets or in our society.
"There must be consequences."
Meanwhile, Communities Secretary Robert Jenrick told the House of Commons there had been a 320 percent increase in reports of anti-semitic incidents since the start of the latest Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
Mr Jenrick said: "We must ensure this is a country in which our Jewish friends and neighbours feel safe."