In the northern suburbs of Los Angeles, a tragic incident unfolded during simultaneous pro-Palestinian and pro-Israeli demonstrations that left one man dead. This unfortunate event, characterized by a verbal altercation that turned violent, has sent shockwaves through the local community and ignited concerns about the state of civil discourse.
The victim in this heart-wrenching incident was Paul Kessler, a 69-year-old pro-Israel protester. Witnesses at the scene and video footage of the incident have provided insights into the sequence of events that led to this tragic outcome. A heated exchange between pro-Palestinian and pro-Israeli demonstrators suddenly escalated, culminating in a brutal attack that resulted in Kessler's severe injuries.
In Thousand Oaks west of Los Angeles, Jew Paul Kessler, 69, died of his injuries yesterday.
— David Atherton (@DaveAtherton20) November 7, 2023
The man on the right, part of a pro-Palestine counter demonstration, allegedly struck him with a megaphone & Mr Kessler fell, hitting his head on the pavement. https://t.co/kZ9jjBnbGJ pic.twitter.com/qYANOSQDCn
After the assault, Paul Kessler was found lying on the ground, bleeding profusely, and was promptly rushed to a nearby hospital. Sadly, despite medical efforts, Kessler succumbed to his injuries, specifically a cerebral hemorrhage, ultimately losing his life. The Israeli community present at the scene expressed their shock and distress, highlighting the chilling nature of such an incident occurring in their neighborhood.
Local law enforcement, the Ventura County Police Department, has confirmed the details surrounding this tragic event. They are actively investigating the case and plan to provide further information during a forthcoming press conference. At this stage, the investigation is focusing on potential hate crime elements, and the police have called upon the public and those who may have witnessed or recorded the incident to come forward with any relevant information.
According to the initial police statement, it appears that Paul Kessler was engaged in a physical altercation with protesters from the opposing side. During the altercation, he fell backward and sustained a head injury that ultimately proved fatal. An autopsy conducted postmortem confirmed that his cause of death was homicide, resulting from a severe blow to the head, possibly caused by a blunt object or a hard surface.
Anti-Israel protesters resume chanting as Paul Kessler is taken away in an ambulance.
— Christina Buttons (@buttonslives) November 7, 2023
“As a man is being taken away on an ambulance for being knocked unconscious… this is the kind of respect these Palestinian protesters are giving.” — source from the scene of the deadly attack. pic.twitter.com/BLBoOhXoO9
The shocking incident has elicited strong reactions from various quarters. Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich unequivocally stated that "Paul Kessler was murdered because he is Jewish. Hatred of Jews and violent barbarism. The date and place change - anti-Semitism is the same anti-Semitism." Dr. Yizhar Hess, Acting Chairman of the World Zionist Organization, underscored the alarming resurgence of anti-Semitism worldwide, emphasizing that these events in the United States are deeply unsettling.
Local community leaders, such as Rabbi Michael Barclay, have engaged with law enforcement in the pursuit of justice. However, conflicting testimonies about the sequence of events have complicated the investigation. Barclay has urged anyone with documentation of the incident to step forward and assist in shedding light on the tragic circumstances surrounding Paul Kessler's death.
