2 people arrested at Chicago Loop Synagogue protest after demonstrators registered under false names

CHICAGO (WLS) – Two protesters were arrested and charged with misdemeanors after registering for a private event using false names, according to Chicago police.

Organized by the Chicago Jewish Alliance, the aim of the event was to feature Yoseph Haddad, a well-known Israeli Arab who is a well-known advocate of Israel and was injured while serving in the Israel Defense Forces, which Arab citizens of Israel are not required to attend, according to protests from several groups , including Students for Justice in Palestine and the US Palestinian Community Network, the president of the Chicago Loop Synagogue.

President Lee Zolden said the event required an RSVP and the more than 200 attendees had been previously vetted by the Israeli consulate, but several people registered under false names and Zolden said he believed they had told protesters the time and location of the event.

Zolden said about 30 people, some carrying a Students for Justice in Palestine banner, arrived at the synagogue about a half hour before the event began. They were joined by other protesters, including members of the U.S. Palestinian Community Network and lawyers from the National Lawyers Guild.

As the protest continued outside, two people involved in the event began shouting in the sanctuary, Zolden said. The police were called.

Chicago police said a 19-year-old man was charged with one misdemeanor count of trespassing, while a 20-year-old was charged with one misdemeanor count of trespassing and one count of criminal damage to property, both misdemeanors.