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An investigation has been launched in Los Angeles after a 69-year-old man died as a result of injuries sustained during a physical altercation between rival pro-Israel and pro-Palestinian protesters, Ventura County Sheriff’s Office have said.
In a statement identifying the man as Paul Kessler, the sheriff’s office said they had “not ruled out the possibility of a hate crime”.
It said that police were called to the City of Thousands Oaks on Monday afternoon after reports of a physical altercation during which Kessler fell back and struck his head on the ground. He died in hospital of his injuries.
It said an autopsy had been performed and the cause of death determined to be “blunt force head injury and the manner of death homicide” but also said the incident “appears to be isolated and not part of a large effort.
The Jewish Federation of Greater Los Angeles said he was an “elderly Jewish man” who was “struck in the head by a megaphone wielded by a pro-Palestinian protestor in Westlake Village.”
It said it was the fourth “major antisemitic crime” committed in Los Angeles this year and added: “Violence against our people has no place in civilized society. We demand safety.”
— Jewish Federation of Greater Los Angeles (@JFedLA) November 7, 2023
