Anti-Israel demonstrations, such as the recent incident near a Los Angeles synagogue, are undermining the Palestinian cause by alienating potential allies, according to experts. Adam Swart, the CEO of Crowds on Demand, warns that chaotic and destructive behavior turns away left-leaning Jewish-Americans, who often oppose Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and don't support Israel's war in Gaza.
Anti-Israel demonstrations, such as the recent incident near a Los Angeles synagogue, are having the opposite effect from what those who support Palestinians intended, according to experts. Violence broke out in front of the Adas Torah synagogue on June 23 between supporters of Israel and those opposed to its war against Hamas. Clashes turned into a brawl, and at least one person was arrested after agitators allegedly tried to block the building entrance and harassed those trying to enter.
Anti-Israel Protests Damage Palestinian Cause, Alienating Potential Allies
"What you're seeing is something that does absolutely nothing for the Palestinian people," Adam Swart, the CEO and founder of Crowds on Demand, told Fox News Digital. "They're alienating one of their potential major allies, which is left-leaning Jewish-Americans," who often oppose Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and don't support Israel's war in Gaza.
Demonstrations in support of Palestinians have raged for months since Hamas attacked Israel, killing 1,200 people and kidnapping hundreds more. The conflict has fueled a humanitarian crisis in the Hamas-controlled Gaza Strip. However, the June 23 event prompted President Biden to condemn threats to Jewish members of the Adas Torah synagogue.
Anti-Israel Protests Damage Palestinian Cause, Alienating Potential Allies
"I’m appalled by the scenes outside of Adas Torah synagogue in Los Angeles. Intimidating Jewish congregants is dangerous, unconscionable, antisemitic and un-American," Biden said.
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass and the Los Angeles Police Department have taken heat from protesters on both sides for not preventing the demonstration from escalating.
Anti-Israel Protests Damage Palestinian Cause, Alienating Potential Allies
"A more proactive response – by initially keeping the demonstrators on the other side of the street and separate from any counter protesters would have prevented the violence we witnessed at the end of the demonstration," Adas Torah said in a statement to Fox News Digital.
While police are reluctant to arrest protesters, no matter how misguided, to encourage free speech, the challenge arises when violence occurs, Swart said. He believes the police view the event as a pro-Palestinian protest rather than a violent mob attacking passersby. However, the Justice Department has announced an investigation into the weekend demonstration.
Anti-Israel Protests Damage Palestinian Cause, Alienating Potential Allies
"Let me promise to the Jewish community that this Justice Department will do everything within its power, working with federal partners and state and local partners, to secure the community’s safety," Attorney General Merrick Garland said.
Swart noted that violent or illegal actions by protesters against Israel ultimately harm Palestinians by alienating potential supporters who may be turned off by their tactics. "This is no longer about Palestine," he said. "This is an excuse by ‘anarchistic mobs’ to commit violence and commit property destruction and somehow justify it behind the suffering of people 8,000 miles away who gain absolutely nothing from their actions."
Anti-Israel Protests Damage Palestinian Cause, Alienating Potential Allies
Crowds on Demand has received requests to be involved in protests regarding the Israel-Palestinian conflict, but Swart said they have declined due to not seeing a constructive way to get involved that aligns with their values.
Fox News Digital's Bradford Betz contributed to this report.
Anti-Israel Protests Damage Palestinian Cause, Alienating Potential Allies
