Police are searching for a man in connection with a hate crime that took place during a pro-Israel demonstration in El Cerrito, California.
The attacker was part of a simultaneous, nearby pro-Palestine (Hamas) demonstration. He pushed a woman from behind, knocking her to the ground. Then he seized her Israeli flag and burned it in the street. Since he had his face wrapped in the style of an Islamic terrorist, the only description of him is that he was wearing a distinctive jacket.
In its report below, KPIX, the San Francisco Bay Area CBS affiliate, includes a statement from the SFBA chapter of the Hamas-linked Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR). CAIR spoke of “provocation by pro-genocide individuals who sought to intimidate and harass rally attendees advocating for peace and a permanent ceasefire.”
In other words, the pro-Israel side provoked the attack. This is completely contradictory to what the reporter was saying, what the police are saying, and what the TV station broadcasted, as well as to common sense.
In a phone conversation with KPIX, a station representative said that the station felt obligated to include this gratuitous statement from CAIR.
That is the problem: TV stations are serving the interests of CAIR. Local area newscasters will do what CAIR wants, and spread rumors, misinformation, personal attacks, incitement, defamation, and so on, because TV stations see CAIR as being an important voice, and take the larger viewing audience for granted.
The woman attacked by a Palestinian partisan said that she does not feel safe, and that there should be an increased police presence, not just at pro-Israel demonstrations, but in general.
This is further evidence that the very tolerant San Francisco area is becoming unlivable for Jewish Americans.
“Woman with Israeli flag attacked during Gaza ceasefire protest in El Cerrito; suspect sought,” by Tim Fang and Jose Martinez, KPIX CBS5, January 8, 2024:
EL CERRITO – Police in El Cerrito have released photos of man suspected of a hate crime after they said a woman carrying an Israeli flag was attacked during a weekend protest calling for a ceasefire in Gaza.
Officers said Monday that ceasefire protesters and counter-protesters marched from neighboring Albany to El Cerrito on Saturday. About 100 protesters took over the intersection of San Pablo Avenue and Carlson Boulevard for about an hour, while a group of counter-protesters holding Israeli flags stood on the sidewalk.
During the protest, police said a male protester pushed a woman to the ground from behind. He then took the woman’s Israel flag from her hands by force, then burned the flag in the street.
Police said the woman suffered a minor injury.
According to officers, the incident was captured on video and is being investigated as a hate crime….
“I was very shaken. I’m still shaken by it,” said one of the Jewish counter-protestors who, according to police, were attacked during the ceasefire demonstration. The woman requested to remain anonymous.
“They rushed over to us, again, blocking us, and they started to grab our flags and our signs,” she recounted to CBS News Bay Area….
The Bay Area chapter of the Council on American–Islamic Relations also released a statement in response to the investigation.
“CAIR-SFBA notes that the planned rally on January 6 was intended to be peaceful but for the provocation by pro-genocide individuals who sought to intimidate and harass rally attendees advocating for peace and a permanent ceasefire in Palestine,” the group said. “We firmly believe in the constitutional rights of all individuals to freedom of speech and peaceful assembly. These rights must be exercised without fear of aggression.
“We continue to stand against all forms of hate and violence, regardless of the victims’ or perpetrators’ backgrounds or beliefs,” the group went on to say.
Police released three photos of the suspect, who had his face covered with a black and white keffiyeh scarf and was wearing what officers described as a “distinctive” jacket….
Bexarkat says
A very good example of CAIR’s skewed definition of justice and free expression.
somehistory says
The liars of c.a.i.r. describing the “attackers”….were pointing the fingers at themselves and those who support hamas as they do.
The mozlums and other pro terror actors, were ‘in the intersection.’ That is provocation toward those driving vehicles.
these mobsters went after the peaceful guys and ladies on the “sidewalk.” That was ‘provocation.’
Acting in response to ‘provocation’ has its legal limits. Being “provoked” is not an automatic legal out if acted upon. And besides that:
Pushing someone from behind…someone who is not verbally abusing, approaching aggressively, nor brandishing a weapon, is not the act of responding to ‘provocation.’
The woman with her sign, the woman who was *assaulted* was the victim; not a provocateur. The *criminal* who pushed the innocent woman and stole her flag, was the one provoking as were the other mozlums in the mob..
Just as the other slime, the “professor” who pushed the elderly Jew and killed him…and was *excused* by c.a.i.r in CA a while back..
Anyone with a brain, can see where Truth is being demonstrated. And it isn’t among the slugs of hamas supporters.
Larry Estavan says
I highly encourage people to call the TV stations to complain about their use of the Council on American Islamic Relations in the broadcasts.
Here is another example from that same station, KPIX, trying to “give both sides” of the war against Hamas in Gaza. – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0_jvyHHVi08
The rabbi for the Jewish side is dignified, and calm. But, Zahra Billoo for the Muslim side emotes, with her chest heaving, eyes rolling, bringing her hand to her face while complaining about our tax dollars helping to burn “bay-bees”, and never saying a word about Hamas or October 7.
And, for extra frosting, KPIX includes a mention of the 3 students shot in Maine by Jason Eaton as an example of a surge in Islamophobia. As you know, Daniel Greenfield has shown us that Eton was not an Islamophobe, but rather, mentally deranged, as well as being a supporter of Hamas on social media.
“Seven Days”, the source for Daniel’s article about Eaton, published their piece on December 6th. KPIX aired their broadcast on the 7th. So, KPIX should have already known that “Islamophobia” was not the motivation for Eaton.
There are many things in the world to be alarmed about. But, the growing threat of CAIR’s acceptance in society, and the media over reliance on them, is something we can have some influence in stopping.
Now is the time to start complaining about the lack of balanced coverage of CAIR on TV.
KPIX assignment desk – 415.765.8610, newsdesk@kpix.com
PRCS says
Thanks for the phone number, Larry.
Pray Hard says
Simply by her existence, I presume.
Pray Hard says
Just more typical islamospeak.
James Lincoln says
When local newscasters (leftist islamopandering activists) reference c.a.i.r., SPLC, etc., consider the source.
abu taleb says
Any unislamic symbol can be said as a provocation to muslims. That is why Christians can not build a church in a muslim neighborhood (but of course muslims will support building a mosque in a Christian neighborhood). Remind me about the woke leftist who was triggered by MAGA hat.