Seattle police arrested three pro-Hamas protesters on April 19, after dozens of protesters blocked entrances to a Jewish community reception at Town Hall Seattle, and one protester punched an attendee during a confrontation on the steps. The event, hosted by StandWithUs Northwest, featured Noa Cochva, a former IDF combat medic who was crowned as Miss Israel in 2021.
The incident marks the latest in a series of confrontations targeting Jewish community events across the United States, with activists from groups including the Seattle Palestine Action Network and Antifa disrupting access to what organizers described as a peaceful gathering.
Physical Confrontation Leads to Arrests
A protester wearing a plastic bag as a makeshift mask got into a shoving match with an attendee on the steps. After both traded shoves, the attendee tried to remove the bag from the protester’s head, and the protester then punched the attendee in the jaw. The protester then punched the attendee in the jaw. Seattle police arrested the protester involved in the physical altercation, followed by two additional arrests minutes later.
Police detained three individuals. Public reporting said two men taken into custody were ages 21 and 33. The protesters had effectively blockaded the venue entrance before police intervention, forcing attendees to navigate through a gauntlet of demonstrators.
Protesters Chanted ‘Death, Death to the IDF’ Outside Event
Video footage from the scene captured protesters chanting “death, death to the IDF” as Jewish guests attempted to enter the building for the community reception. The Seattle Palestine Action Network organized the demonstration specifically to target the event featuring Cochva, who served five months at the Gaza border during the 2023 conflict as a combat medic.
Jennifer Adut, associate director of StandWithUs Northwest, described the scene as intimidating. “They were screaming right in our faces. It was really intimidating. ‘Death to the IDF.’ ‘Free Palestine.’ ‘F Israel.’” Despite the hostile environment, Adut emphasized that attendees remained committed to the event. “We are all proud Jews. We are proud of our history and heritage. We’re not cowed by protesters.”
Police Force Protesters From Venue Entrance
Around 8:30 p.m., Seattle police cleared all protesters from the sidewalk and area surrounding the entrance, allowing event attendees to safely exit the building. The police response came after protesters had maintained their blockade for hours, preventing normal entry and exit from the venue.
The incident follows a pattern of disruptions targeting Jewish community events nationwide, raising concerns about the safety of Jewish gatherings and the escalation of tactics employed by anti-Israel activist groups. StandWithUs Northwest describes its mission as fighting “rising antisemitism, hate and misinformation online,” organizing educational programs and community events focused on Israel advocacy.