Police arrested two people after a protester was involved in an altercation at a Koreatown temple on Wednesday. The chaos followed a protest demonstration and a private event at the Audrey Irmas Pavilion on Wilshire Boulevard Templeted by Israel Defense Technology employees.
Los Angeles police were on the scene shortly after 10 a.m., department spokesman Jeff Lee said in an interview. There, they arrested two people who were in charge of temple security amid the disturbance.
“They were blocking the side road, and the temple staff could not walk,” Lee alleged. “The police responded and dispersed the crowd.”
Rabbi Joel Nickerson, speaking on behalf of the Wilshire Boulevard Temple, described the incident as an “emergency outburst involving battery and property destruction.” He said in a statement that certain people “targeted the Jewish community” and disrupted the event with the aim of “preventing public safety in Koreatown.”
“No one should be targeted in the city of Los Angeles because of their faith,” she said.
The exhibition, organized by Nodutdol for the development of the Korean community and Koreatown of Palestine, was opposed in opposition to the independent series of public security held by the representative of Israel in the Audrey Irmas Pavilion. In statements circulated before the event, organizers of the protests encouraged the temple “to make it for war criminals and genociders.”
According to the event materials, speakers focused on “AI-Driven Security Tools” that communities could use to “strengthen local security without relying solely on government agencies,” and discussed security challenges “among Pro-Palestinians.” The program featured speakers from the Israeli Defense sector and a Korean missionary.
The protesters directly objected to Keynote Speaker Goni Saar, an AI researcher for Elt systems. Israel-based Defense produces unmanned aircraft, electronic-warfare technology, advanced cybersecurity systems and methods.
“We know that this technology has been used to decorate and kill Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank, and they will do the same to vulnerable communities in the Congo,” the group posted on its Facebook account.
The group was identified by concerns over Israel’s use AI surveillance systems In the gaza line of the garment. Israel has used AI systems on the battlefield to target potential targets, described as “Kill Lists,” according to the Lieber Institute for Law and Justice.
“We do not believe the lies of the elbit systems and the situation of Israel abroad Israel has attacked 5 of its neighbors in the last 2 years, and they have used their technology to closely monitor the places of humanitarian aid,” said the group of hospitals.
The editors could not be reached for comment.
Mayor Karen Bass said it was prompted by reports that some people at the protest used antisemitic slurs and caused property damage inside the temple. Authorities at the Wilshire Boulevard temple said protesters knocked over a vase during the altercation.
“This behavior is disgusting and has no place in Los Angeles,” she said. “The city of Los Angeles stands with [Wilshire Boulevard Temple] and fully condemn this attack. “
Bass said he spoke with Rabbi Nickerson once Additional Lapd Patrols have been sent at the sites of worship in Koreatown.
Los Angeles City atty. Hydee Feldstein Soto released a statement indicating that her office will investigate the incident.
“The accounts I’ve been given describe behavior that crosses the line into criminal activity,” he said. “Our Office will review law enforcement referrals and prosecute any cases established to the fullest extent of the law.”
