A private pro-Israel fundraising reception at Town Hall Seattle turned tense on Sunday when pro-Palestinian demonstrators crowded the entrances, shouted at guests and forced a heavy police response that ended with three arrests, according to organizers and law enforcement.
The event, a StandWithUs Northwest reception, continued inside while the protest played out on the steps. Seattle police ultimately moved in, pulled several people away from the doors and cleared a path for ticketed attendees before the crowd broke up.
Organizers Describe Hostile Scene Outside
StandWithUs Northwest Executive Director Randy Kessler characterized the protest as harassment and intimidation, saying demonstrators hurled insults at people trying to get in, including calling them “baby killers,” and chanted in support of Hamas, according to KOMO News. Kessler said that despite the shouting outside, the program went on as planned and that no attendees were injured.
Police Response and Arrests
The Seattle Police Department reported making three arrests during the disturbance. Two men, ages 21 and 33, were cited for obstruction and disorderly conduct, and a third person was arrested on suspicion of assault, according to JNS.
Officers estimated the crowd at roughly 75 protesters at its peak and used pepper spray to push people back and open access to the entrance. Local coverage showed shoving and brief scuffles outside the venue as police moved demonstrators away from the doors, per KIRO 7.
Speaker And Event Context
The reception featured keynote speaker Noa Cochva, a former Miss Israel who served as a combat medic. The gathering was advertised by StandWithUs Northwest as a private, ticketed community reception, and the exact venue address was shared only with registrants, according to StandWithUs.
Clashes And Community Reaction
From the sidewalk, the scene looked more like street theater than a quiet picket. Protesters banged drums, waved Palestinian flags and staged graphic demonstrations that included fake blood and aggressive gestures aimed at guests as they approached the building.
Some Jewish community leaders said the protest veered from political expression into targeted harassment of Jewish attendees, heightening concerns about safety at local events connected to Israel, according to JNS.
Legal Next Steps
King County prosecutors are now reviewing police reports to determine whether criminal charges will be filed. The prosecutor’s office said it expects to release additional information once charging decisions are made, per KIRO 7. Investigators are gathering witness statements and video from the scene as part of that review.
The confrontation unfolded against the backdrop of heightened tensions over the war in Gaza and a wave of campus and neighborhood demonstrations across the region. Organizers said Cochva was also slated to speak at Western Washington University the following day, while local groups publicly urged restraint and calm as the legal process moves ahead, according to KOMO News.
