A private fundraising event for a Jewish advocacy group at Town Hall Seattle was disrupted Sunday evening when approximately 75 protesters gathered outside the venue, blocked entrances, and shouted at attendees, leading to three arrests and a subsequent decision by prosecutors not to file charges based on the evidence presented.
StandWithUs Northwest Executive Director Randy Kessler said demonstrators yelled insults and profanity at people attempting to enter the event, with some attendees being called “baby killers” and “genocide supporters.” Kessler said he also heard chants expressing support for Hamas and described the protest as aggressive, coordinated, and antisemitic in nature. Despite the disruption outside, Kessler said the programme continued inside and the event was ultimately successful. No attendees were reported injured.
The gathering featured former Miss Israel Noa Cochva as the keynote speaker. Cochva, a former Israel Defense Forces combat medic who served during the 2023 Gaza conflict, has become a public speaker and advocate on issues relating to Israel and antisemitism. She is scheduled to appear at Western Washington University on Monday as part of a campus outreach effort.
Seattle Police said three people were arrested during the protest. Two male suspects, aged 21 and 33, were taken into custody for obstruction and disorderly conduct. A third individual was arrested on suspicion of assault, though SPD said further information about that arrest was not yet available. The King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office reviewed the cases on Monday, including input from senior prosecutors and a deputy specialising in hate crimes, and determined the materials provided did not meet the legal threshold required to proceed in court.
The 24-year-old arrested on suspicion of third-degree assault, a felony, and possible misdemeanour obstruction was alleged to have pushed an officer twice. Prosecutors said the documents lacked details about injuries, a key factor in determining whether an assault reaches felony level. A second alleged assault referenced in the report provided no information about a victim or injuries. Police indicated they did not plan to expedite the case within the standard 72-hour charging window and did not object to the individual’s release.
The 21-year-old arrested on suspicion of third-degree assault, obstruction, and pedestrian interference also faced insufficient evidence of injuries according to prosecutors. The report mentioned the individual allegedly throwing punches at an older man, raising the possibility of a malicious harassment charge, but prosecutors said no additional information was provided to support that allegation. A senior deputy prosecutor specialising in hate crimes found insufficient evidence at this stage to support a felony hate crime charge.
The KCPAO said cases could be referred for charging at a later date if Seattle Police investigations continue within the statute of limitations. As of Monday afternoon, SPD confirmed it had not made a hate crime referral.
Kessler said the incident reflects a broader sense of vulnerability within Seattle’s Jewish community and called for increased solidarity and support. The protest comes amid heightened national tensions surrounding Israel and the ongoing conflict in Gaza, which has prompted demonstrations across the country including on college campuses.
