Two men charged with attack on Jewish diners in Los Angeles

Los Angeles County District Court has charged two men with felony assault, adding the criminal complaint includes a hate crime allegation.

Pro-Palestine protesters demonstrate outside Downing Street in London, Britain, June 12, 2021.  (photo credit: HENRY NICHOLLS/REUTERS)
Pro-Palestine protesters demonstrate outside Downing Street in London, Britain, June 12, 2021.
(photo credit: HENRY NICHOLLS/REUTERS)

Two men have been charged in an antisemitic and anti-Israel attack on Jewish men outside a Los Angeles sushi restaurant last May.

Xavier Pabon, 30, of Banning, and Samer Jayylusi, 36, of Anaheim, have been charged each with two felony counts of assault by "means of force likely to cause great bodily injury," according to the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office.

The suspects were reported by witnesses to be chanting "death to Jews" and "free Palestine" as they drove around in a caravan, throwing bottles and engaging in a brawl with two Jewish diners after asking who was Jewish.

The alleged assault came amid the 11-day Israel-Hamas conflict, Operation Guardian of the Walls, which saw a spike in antisemitic attacks in the US and Europe.

Protesters hold placards and flags during a demonstration, organised by the British Board of Jewish Deputies for those who oppose anti-Semitism, in Parliament Square in London, Britain, March 26, 2018. (credit: HENRY NICHOLLS/REUTERS)
Protesters hold placards and flags during a demonstration, organised by the British Board of Jewish Deputies for those who oppose anti-Semitism, in Parliament Square in London, Britain, March 26, 2018. (credit: HENRY NICHOLLS/REUTERS)

On Monday, four men were charged in London for a similar incident after a pro-Palestinian rally in May, allegedly driving around north London in a convoy draped in Palestinian flags and chanting antisemitic slurs and threats.

Metropolitan Police said the four were charged with "using threatening, abusive or insulting words, or behaviour, with intent, likely to stir up racial hatred."

Video circulated on social media showed the men honking horns and shouting "F*** their mothers, rape their daughters."

North London has a large Jewish population.

The four suspects are due to appear at Westminister Magistrates' Court on October 6.