Tragedy Strikes in Thousand Oaks: Elderly Pro-Israel Protester Dies After Altercation

A 69-year-old man, identified as Paul Kessler, tragically lost his life on Sunday afternoon during a rally surrounding the Israel-Hamas conflict. The incident occurred at the intersection of Westlake Boulevard and Thousand Oaks Boulevard, where simultaneous pro-Israel and pro-Palestinian protests were taking place. Kessler, a pro-Israel protester, was allegedly struck with a megaphone by a pro-Palestinian protester, an act described by some as an “antisemitic crime.”

The Ventura County Sheriff’s Office has classified Kessler’s death as a homicide and is actively investigating the incident, not ruling out the possibility of a hate crime. Witnesses reported that the altercation led to Kessler falling and striking his head on the ground. He was subsequently rushed to the hospital but tragically succumbed to his injuries a day later.

The Jewish Federation of Greater Los Angeles decried the incident, stating, “Violence against our people has no place in civilized society.” They demanded safety and expressed their determination to prevent violence against their community. The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) also denounced the attack, urging people to await the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office’s investigation results and expressing their support for the Jewish community. CAIR stated, “While we strongly support the right of political debate, CAIR-LA and the Muslim community stand with the Jewish community in rejecting any violence, antisemitism, Islamophobia, or incitement of hatred.”

As the investigation continues, authorities encourage anyone with information related to the incident to contact the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office at (805) 384-4745, and anonymous tips can be submitted to Crime Stoppers at (800) 222-8477. Video and pictures of the altercation can also be anonymously submitted to the VCSO for further investigation. This tragic incident has sparked concerns about the safety of protesters and the need for peaceful dialogue during rallies related to the Israel-Hamas conflict.

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