Nearly 100 anti-Israel agitators stormed and occupied the lobby of the Israeli Consulate in San Francisco on Monday before police arrested several for not leaving the grounds.
According to FOX 2 in San Francisco, approximately 100 demonstrators entered the building, prompting a response from police who arrived with vans to remove the protesters. At least a dozen individuals were reportedly detained and removed from the consulate.
Despite multiple warnings from law enforcement to vacate the premises, the protesters refused to leave voluntarily. Police eventually blocked the doors of the building and ordered the demonstrators to exit.
Fortunately, no staff members were injured during the incident, as confirmed by a spokesperson for the consulate. Consul General Marco Sermoneta expressed his dismay at the actions of the protesters, condemning their violent attempt to disrupt the diplomatic mission.
“We are appalled, but not surprised, at the attempt by a handful of pro-Hamas rioters to violently compromise our ability to operate as a diplomatic mission. They will not succeed,” Sermoneta stated.
The Consul General also highlighted the recent invasion of Israel by Hamas and the subsequent rise of anti-Israel sentiment in the Bay Area, which has made campuses and city council meetings inhospitable and dangerous for Jews.
“We thank [the San Francisco Police Department] for their rapid response and will continue to ensure that we provide all services as usual,” Sermoneta added.
The occupation of the Israeli Consulate in San Francisco serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing tensions surrounding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and the impact it has on communities around the world.
