California Man Perishes After Dispute Amidst Israeli-Palestinian Protest Clashes

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In the wake of heated Israeli-Palestinian demonstrations in California, a Jewish man succumbed to his injuries following a dispute. Police have pinpointed a suspect who also made the emergency call post-altercation.

The deceased, identified as 69-year-old Paul Kessler, passed away in the hospital on Monday due to a head wound, which followed what witnesses described as a “physical confrontation” at a protest in the Thousand Oaks suburb, according to law enforcement officials.

The Ventura County Medical Examiner, Dr. Christopher Young, announced in a Tuesday briefing that Kessler’s death was caused by blunt head trauma, with the injuries suggesting they were sustained from a fall. Whether a direct strike precipitated the fall remains uncertain.

Sheriff Jim Fryhoff of Ventura County disclosed that while no arrests have been finalized, a suspect who remained at the scene and alerted law enforcement through a 911 call is under scrutiny.

Kessler reportedly fell backward, resulting in a fatal head impact, shared Fryhoff. He elaborated that the details preceding Kessler’s fall are still being investigated for clarity.

The suspect in question, who has been cooperative, was detained for a brief period for inquiry purposes, and a search was conducted at his residence, Fryhoff stated.

With inconsistent reports about the incident, the sheriff’s department is diligently working to establish the facts and determine if there was any criminal activity involved. They have not dismissed the incident as a potential hate crime.

The number of individuals engaged in the dispute is yet unknown, Fryhoff added.

He outlined that the incident began with a pro-Palestine protest, initially intended as nonviolent, which then saw the arrival of pro-Israel advocates, totaling around 75 to 100 participants.

Temple Ner Simcha’s Rabbi Michael Barclay from the nearby Westlake Village encouraged a measured response to the incident, advising against forming premature conclusions.

After discussions with the police chief, Rabbi Barclay urged on a social platform for calm and restraint to prevent the incident from escalating tensions.

The Los Angeles branch of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) released a statement mourning Kessler’s passing as a “tragic and shocking loss,” emphasizing solidarity with the Jewish community against any forms of violence or hate-fueled rhetoric.

Globally, demonstrations have erupted in response to the conflict between Israel and Hamas, leading to numerous casualties. Hamas has faced international rebuke for attacks within Israeli borders, involving civilian abductions and deaths, while Israel has been accused of widespread bombing campaigns in Gaza resulting in significant civilian fatalities.

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More about Thousand Oaks protest incident

• CNN: Jewish man dies after confrontation during pro-Israel and pro-Palestinian demonstrations
• Ventura County Star: Jewish man dies in Thousand Oaks protest; suspect identified
• Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) – Greater Los Angeles Area