A screening of a film depicting images of the Oct. 7 Hamas attack on Israel ended with a street brawl among pro-Israel and pro-Palestine protesters outside the Museum of Tolerance in West Los Angeles.
A Wednesday night, Nov., 8, event featured a screening of the 43-minute film “Bearing Witness,” which documents acts committed by Hamas against Israeli citizens. The screening was reportedly arranged in part by “Wonder Woman” actress Gal Gadot, who is Israeli.
During the event, protesters carrying Israeli and Palestinian flags gathered along Pico Boulevard. Los Angeles Police Department officials said there were no clashes between the sides during the screening. But clashes erupted later, with video showing fistfights spilling onto Pico.
“One hour after the event was over, a small group of demonstrators returned to the same location,” according to an LAPD statement. “Those demonstrators became involved in a physical fight that has been widely broadcast. Officers returned to the area and peace was restored. Two reports for battery were taken and will be thoroughly investigated. At this time, we do not have suspects in custody relating to the battery, or for any other reason relating to this event.”
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass denounced the violence.
“We cannot allow current worldwide tension to devolve into this unacceptable violence in our city,” she wrote on social media Wednesday night. “This is a time of immense pain and distress for thousands of Angelenos. We must stand together.”
