The Justice Department launched a civil rights lawsuit against pro-Palestinian groups and their activists for allegedly using intimidation against Jewish synagogue attendees in New Jersey. The Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances Act receives its first application in religious institution protection after its original purpose to defend abortion clinics.
The lawsuit targets three organizations, including the Party for Socialism and Liberation, as well as American Muslims for Palestine, both based in New Jersey, and specific protesters who participated in the November 2024 demonstration in West Orange, New Jersey, at Congregation Ohr Torah. The event brought together religious services with an Israeli real estate fair before violent conflicts broke out.
Historic Legal Precedent in Religious Freedom Case
At a press conference, Harmeet Dhillon declared that religious facility attacks would receive no protection under the 1994 FACE Act as Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights.
The 1994 FACE Act protects abortion clinics from anti-abortion protesters through its ban on obstructive conduct that uses force or threats to prevent access to reproductive health facilities and places of worship.
Attorney General Pam Bondi declared that the administration will protect religious freedom rights for all Americans who wish to practice their beliefs without disturbance. The Justice Department announced that this case may lead to nationwide programs aimed at preventing attacks on religious facilities.
Violent Confrontation Escalates to Federal Charges
The court documents show protesters used vuvuzelas as weapons to harm people during the religious service because these plastic horns can cause permanent hearing damage when used at close range. The lawsuit states that Altaf Sharif attacked synagogue member Moshe Glick with the horn as a weapon before David Silberberg used pepper spray to defend himself at age 65.
The situation became dangerous when prosecutors demonstrated that Sharif applied a chokehold to pull Silberberg down the hill toward the parking lot. Glick struck Sharif on the head with a flashlight to free Silberberg, drawing blood and ending the assault. The Jewish community members received assault-related charges from county prosecutors, which led Jewish organizations to defend their actions as self-defense.
Targeting Organized Pro-Palestinian Networks
The lawsuit shows evidence of organized intimidation by defendant organizations through their past violent actions in Bergenfield, New Jersey, and outside the Adas Torah synagogue in Los Angeles. Federal prosecutors believe these organizations use their historical background to carry out violent attacks on Jewish institutions and pro-Israel events.
The complaint shows that defendant Tova Fry used a camera to take pictures of Glick’s house before sharing his address through the internet to organize protesters, while asking for a court order to stop defendants from approaching within 50 feet of the synagogue and Glick’s home.
“Unless restrained, Defendants are likely to continue violating the FACE Act, given their history of targeting Jewish religious events with violence and intimidation,” the Justice Department argued.
Constitutional Questions and Civil Rights Balance
The lawsuit shows evidence of organized intimidation by defendant organizations through their past violent actions in Bergenfield, New Jersey, and outside the Adas Torah synagogue in Los Angeles. The federal prosecutors think these organizations use their historical background to conduct violent attacks against Jewish institutions and pro-Israel events.
The complaint shows that defendant Tova Fry used a camera to take pictures of Glick’s house before sharing his address through the internet to organize protesters while asking for a court order to stop defendants from approaching within 50 feet of the synagogue and Glick’s home.