A Jewish man died after suffering a head injury during a confrontation between supporters of Israel and supporters of Palestinians protesters in california, Police and a Jewish organization said.
Paul Kessler, 69, died of head trauma a day after the altercation on Sunday, the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office said, adding that witnesses described the incident as a beating.
As of Monday night, no suspects had been taken into custody in what the Sheriff’s Office said “appears to be isolated and not part of a larger effort,” though it did not rule out a hate crime.
The Jewish Federation of Greater Los Angeles identified the victim as a Jewish man and described the incident as the fourth act of anti-Semitic violence in the Los Angeles area this year and the second since October 7.
Separately pro-Israel and Pro-Palestinian demonstrations The sheriff’s office said the crashes happened simultaneously Sunday in the city of Thousand Oaks, about 40 miles west of Los Angeles.
Kessler was involved in a physical altercation between counter-protesters, the sheriff’s office said, citing witness accounts. It did not specify who instigated the quarrel.
“During the altercation, Mr. Kessler fell backwards and struck his head on the ground. Kessler was transported to an area hospital for advanced medical treatment. On November 6, 2023, Mr. Kessler died from his injuries,” the statement said.
Deputies asked the public for assistance in what they called an “active and ongoing investigation.” The Sheriff’s Office said it will hold a news conference on Tuesday about the incident.
The leader of the Jewish Federation of Greater Los Angeles, citing conversations with local government officials, said a pro-Palestinian protester hit the victim in the head with a megaphone.
True horror culture
Rabbi Noah Farkas, the group’s president and CEO, said investigators identified the person but did not arrest him because the investigation was still ongoing.
“This is what is happening in America right now. There is a culture of fear and a culture of real terrorism against the Jewish community,” Farkas said.
Kessler, who carried the Israeli flag at the demonstration, came from a family of philanthropists who were devastated by his death, Farkas said.
The Los Angeles chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations, a civil rights group, also expressed sadness over what it called a “tragic and shocking loss,” while also asking people to “refrain from jumping to conclusions” or “sensationalizing such events.” A tragedy for political gain.”
Muslims stand with the Jewish community
“CAIR Los Angeles and the Muslim community stand with the Jewish community in rejecting any and all acts of violence, anti-Semitism, Islamophobia or incitement to hatred,” the statement read.
Emotions have run high in the United States Concerning the war between Israel And agitation, With US officials and civil rights groups warning of growing threats against Jews, Muslims and Arab Americans since the fighting broke out on October 7.
In September, A An Illinois man has been charged They were charged with hate crimes for stabbing a 6-year-old Muslim boy to death and wounding his mother in an attack that officials said targeted them because of their religion in response to the war.
