Paul Kessler, a 69-year-old Jewish man, died on Monday from injuries sustained during a weekend altercation in Southern California over the Israel-Hamas war.
The incident occurred in Thousand Oaks, a suburb about 40 miles northwest of Los Angeles, where pro-Israeli and pro-Palestinian factions were present.
According to the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office, Kessler fell and struck his head during a confrontation with protesters. He was taken to a hospital but succumbed to his injuries the following day. The medical examiner's office determined that he died of a blunt force head injury.
Witnesses reported that Kessler had a physical altercation with at least one counter-protester. Jonathan Oswaks, who had accompanied Kessler to counterprotest, stated that they had decided to attend the demonstration with Israeli flags in response to a previous pro-Palestinian protest.
As tensions escalated, a man from the pro-Palestinian side approached Kessler, reportedly using a megaphone in a confrontational manner. It remains uncertain if Kessler was struck by the megaphone.
The incident has left both communities in shock and distress, prompting mourners to gather at the site of the altercation with flowers and candles. Rabbi Michael Barclay of Temple Ner Simcha urged caution, discouraging confrontations at such events.
Hussam Ayloush, the executive director of the Council on American-Islamic Relations office in Los Angeles, denounced the violence, calling for restraint in the wake of the tragedy. He emphasized the need to await the conclusion of the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office investigation.
The Jewish Federation of Greater Los Angeles highlighted recent incidents of antisemitic crimes in the region, underscoring the concerns of Jewish residents in Southern California.
Rabbi Noah Farkas, the federation's president and chief executive, expressed the community's apprehension and emphasized the importance of being able to freely express themselves without fear.
