A Jewish family in the Studio City section of Los Angeles was rudely awakened early Wednesday morning at around 5:30 am by an antisemitic wild man in his underwear who kicked in their back door yelling “Free Palestine,” Fox News 11 reported.
The family called 911, saying they were locked in a room with four children, and that a man had broken into their home, which had mezuzahs on all the doors. But a few minutes later, the family placed a second call to 911 to say the suspect was threatening to kill them because they were Israeli.
Although the family is Jewish, it is not clear they were Israeli. But one is usually equated with the other when it comes to antisemitism. Antisemitism in the United States — already at a record high — has skyrocketed since the start of the October 7 war against Israel by Hamas. According to a report released Tuesday by the New York-based Anti-Defamation League (ADL), at least 312 antisemitic incidents were reported between October 7 and October 23, a jump of nearly 400 percent over the same period in 2022.
Antisemitism Skyrocketing Across the United States and Around the World
The scantily-clad suspect, later identified as Daniel Garcia, continued his litany of “Free Palestine” over and over as he was taken into custody, as is seen in the above video. It’s not clear why the Los Angeles Fire Department evacuated the suspect on a medical gurney, attaching a blood pressure cuff to his arm and electrocardiogram (EKG) electrodes to his chest while taking him from the scene.
He was taken to the Van Nuys jail and booked on suspicion of stalking and criminal threats with a hate crime enhancement, police said. Bail was set at $225,000.
A spokesperson for LAPD told reporters the family was visibly shaken up but were not physically injured.
“The vile act of hate that took place this morning has no place in our City. In the wake of the terror and violence inflicted over the previous weeks, this is one of the worst fears of Jewish families across our country – hatred spilling across the threshold, destroying the sense of safety and sanctuary in a home,” Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass said in a statement.
“We remain steadfast in support of the Jewish people – the people of Los Angeles will not cower to hate. We will respond to it,” the mayor said.
“The Los Angeles Police Department will continue to conduct increased patrols in communities throughout our City and I call on officials to take action to ensure the person responsible for this heinous act is held fully accountable. We will always stand together.”
