LA City Council postpones vote and amends $1 million in security proposal for Jewish institutions

The Los Angeles City Council amended and postponed its vote to provide $1 million in security services to Jewish places of worship, community centers and schools. Tuesday's amended proposal is to be voted on at a future date, as it increases the amount of funding to $2 million, and covers all faith-based organizations.

The original motion came about in response to a violent clash between Palestinian and Israeli supporters outside a synagogue in the Pico-Robertson district on June 23. Pro-Palestinian supporters gathered outside of the Adas Torah synagogue and attempted to block the entrance, where they were met by pro-Israel demonstrators. 

Los Angeles Police Department officers wearing riot gear formed skirmish lines and declared unlawful assembly at one point. One person was arrested, according to LAPD, and while no major injuries were reported, various demonstrators could be seen tending to their wounds.   

Councilwoman Katy Yaroslavsky introduced Tuesday's substitute motion saying that it's a plan supported by the mayor, the Los Angeles Police Department, and religious institutions across Los Angeles. 

"The violence we saw on June 23 at Adas Torah was not the first of its kind and it won't be the last. It was an escalation of tension felt across the country and we need to take it seriously and act swiftly," Yaroslavsky said.

The day's violence drew reactions from President Joe Biden, Gov. Gavin Newsom and Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass.

"I'm appalled by the scenes outside of Adas Torah synagogue in Los Angeles," Biden said. Newsom called the violent clashes "appalling," and Bass said they were "abhorrent."

"There is no excuse for targeting a house of worship. Such antisemitic hatred has no place in California," Newsom said.

However, controversy surrounded the motion, as those opposed say it favored the Jewish community.

The grassroots organization Ground Game LA released a letter from its Jewish members "with the full support of our membership" to council members, calling the motion "flagrantly anti-Palestinian" by "holding up Jewish safety as the sole concern raised by these protests." It called the proposed $1 million allocation "a misallocation of public funds" and demanded it be withdrawn or rejected.

Yaroslavsky said that after conversations with colleagues, the mayor, the city attorney's office and interfaith leaders across the city, it was apparent that more funding was needed beyond the scope of the initial motion.

"The substitute motion seeks to urgently increase security services around our houses of worship and religious institutions no matter the denomination so that our communities are better prepared to respond to acts of violence or hate," Yaroslavsky said.

She also said that the appropriated funds would likely be reimbursed by the state, in the fall.

The item is expected to return to the council on July 30 following the end of summer recess.