69-Year-Old Jewish Man Dies After Altercation at Israel-Hamas Protests

THOUSAND OAKS, California - A 69-year-old man, identified as Paul Kessler, died on Monday following an altercation during dueling protests over the Israel-Hamas conflict. The incident occurred on Sunday afternoon at the intersection of Westlake Boulevard and Thousand Oaks Boulevard, where simultaneous pro-Israel and pro-Palestinian rallies were taking place.

According to the Ventura County Sheriff's Office, witnesses reported that Kessler was involved in a physical altercation with one or more counter-protesters before falling backward and striking his head on the ground. He was immediately transported to a local hospital for treatment but succumbed to his injuries the following day. The Ventura County Medical Examiner's Office classified his death as a homicide, citing blunt force head trauma as the cause.

The Jewish Federation of Greater Los Angeles described Kessler as an "elderly Jewish man" and condemned the incident as an "antisemitic crime." They claimed that a pro-Palestinian protester had struck Kessler with a megaphone during the altercation. Rabbi Noah Farkas, president of the Jewish Federation, expressed his shock and grief over the incident, stating, "There is a culture of fear and a culture of terror against the Jewish community happening."

The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) also denounced the alleged attack and expressed solidarity with the Jewish community. In a statement, CAIR-LA and the Muslim community urged the public to wait for the Ventura County Sheriff's Office to complete its investigation before drawing any conclusions. They emphasized their rejection of violence, antisemitism, Islamophobia, or incitement of hatred.

Authorities are actively investigating the incident and have not ruled out the possibility of a hate crime. The Ventura County Sheriff's Office has called on anyone with information to come forward and assist with the ongoing investigation. Anonymous tips can also be submitted to Crime Stoppers.

The Israel-Hamas conflict has sparked protests worldwide, with tensions running high among different communities. U.S. officials and civil rights groups have warned of increased threats against Jews, Muslims, and Arab Americans since the outbreak of the conflict. The death of Paul Kessler marks the fourth act of antisemitic violence in the Los Angeles area this year and the second since October.

As the investigation continues, community leaders and organizations are urging restraint and caution, asking people not to jump to conclusions or exploit the tragedy for political gains. The incident has further amplified concerns about rising hatred and violence targeting religious and ethnic communities in the United States.