During a recent City Council meeting in Berkeley, California, pro-Palestinian protesters caused a disturbance by shouting derogatory remarks and accusations at council members. The incident, captured on video and shared by the Jewish Community Relations Council, involved protesters interrupting the meeting where a vote was being held on marking Holocaust Remembrance Day.
The protesters were heard shouting phrases like 'Zionist pigs!' and 'End Israel!' while also accusing council members of being 'genocide' enablers, 'traitors to this country,' and 'spies for Israel.' They went as far as insinuating that council members had been influenced by financial contributions from the Jewish community.
One protester was recorded asking council members how much money they had received, calling them 'money suckers' and accusing them of being bought off. The disruptive behavior included yelling 'Lies!' while 89-year-old Holocaust survivor Susanne DeWitt spoke about the importance of adopting a Holocaust Remembrance Day proclamation due to a rise in antisemitism.
DeWitt, who was taken to the Dachau Concentration Camp at a young age, highlighted the atrocities committed by Hamas, including the deaths of Israelis and the mistreatment of women. Despite her pleas for respect, the protesters continued to heckle and disrupt the proceedings.
The protest in Berkeley is part of a larger trend of pro-Palestinian demonstrations, with concerns about antisemitism also surfacing at institutions like the University of California, Berkeley. The escalation of tensions between Israel and Hamas has fueled these protests, leading to confrontations and disruptions in various settings.
The incident at the City Council meeting underscores the challenges of addressing complex geopolitical issues while maintaining civility and respect in public discourse.
