Altercation at Pro-Israel and Pro-Palestinian Rallies in California Ends in Tragedy

In Thousand Oaks, California, a confrontation at dueling pro-Israel and pro-Palestinian rallies took a tragic turn, resulting in the death of 69-year-old Jewish man Paul Kessler. Authorities in Ventura County are investigating the incident, which occurred on Sunday around 3:20 p.m. According to witnesses, Kessler engaged in a physical altercation with counter-protesters, leading to a fall that caused a blunt-force head injury. He was taken to a hospital and succumbed to his injuries on Monday. The Ventura County Medical Examiner’s Office has ruled the manner of death as a homicide. Pro-Israeli and pro-Palestinian rallies were taking place simultaneously at Westlake and Thousand Oaks boulevards. A photo posted on social media showed Kessler waving an Israeli flag before the altercation. The incident sparked immediate reactions from both sides of the conflict. Rabbi Michael Barclay of Temple Ner Simcha urged patience, asking the public to refrain from assumptions until the police complete their investigation. Kessler’s family is requesting privacy during this difficult time. No arrests have been made yet, and the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office is actively investigating the incident. Authorities have not ruled out the possibility of a hate crime. The tragic event occurs amid heightened tensions related to the Israel-Hamas conflict, and it has been condemned by politicians and organizations alike.

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