How is it possible that in my quiet, upscale community, there was a clash between pro-Hamas protestors and pro-Israel protestors that resulted in the death of a 69-year-old Jewish man?
Paul Kessler, 69, dies while counter-protesting at pro-Palestine rally in California
A 69-year-old Jewish man was killed in California on Monday after an altercation at protests over the Israel-Hamas war, with his death ruled a homicide and authorities not ruling out a hate crime. There are published reports that he was allegedly struck by a megaphone wielded by a pro-Palestinian supporter. His local rabbi said: 'We DO NOT KNOW at this time if he fell, was pushed, or was attacked.
Paul Kessler was at the scene of two rival rallies held along Westlake Boulevard and Thousand Oaks Boulevard on Sunday: one was in support of Israel, and the other backing the Palestinian cause. Opposing protesters — pro-Israeli and pro-Palestinian — had taken a stand on either side of the intersection when an altercation occurred, authorities said.
On Tuesday November 7, 2023 at 10:00AM, the Ventura County Sheriff's Office will host a press conference regarding the recent death of a pro-Israeli protester, that occurred in the City of Thousand Oaks on 11/5/23.
Sheriff's report...
Narrative:
A 69-year-old man, identified as Paul Kessler, died as a result of injuries sustained during an altercation at a Pro-Israeli / Pro-Palestinian event, both of which were occurring simultaneously at the intersection of Westlake Blvd. and Thousand Oaks Blvd. The Ventura County Sheriff’s Office is investigating the incident and has not ruled out the possibility of a hate crime.
On November 5, 2023, at approximately 3:20 PM, multiple citizens called the Ventura County Sheriff’s Communication Center to report a battery had occurred at the intersection of Westlake Boulevard and Thousand Oaks Boulevard in the City of Thousand Oaks. The intersection was the location of a Pro-Israeli / Pro-Palestinian demonstration.
Upon arrival, responding deputies located Kessler, who was suffering from a head injury. Witness accounts indicated that Kessler was involved in a physical altercation with counter-protestor(s). During the altercation, 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, Kessler succumbed to his injuries.
An autopsy was performed on November 6th and the Ventura County Medical Examiner’s Office determined the cause of death to be blunt force head injury and the manner of death homicide.
This is an active and ongoing investigation, and the incident appears to be isolated and not part of a large effort.
Bottom line…
So much for the possibility of a two-state solution if you cannot keep the peace on a street corner in California.
Keep your head on a swivel and be aware that there may be terrorists or terrorist sympathizers in your neighborhood.
We are so screwed.
-- Steve
“Nullius in verba.”-- take nobody's word for it!
“Beware of false knowledge; it is more dangerous than ignorance.”-- George Bernard Shaw
“Progressive, liberal, Socialist, Marxist, Democratic Socialist -- they are all COMMUNISTS.”
“The key to fighting the craziness of the progressives is to hold them responsible for their actions, not their intentions.” – OCS
"The object in life is not to be on the side of the majority, but to escape finding oneself in the ranks of the insane." -- Marcus Aurelius
“A people that elect corrupt politicians, imposters, thieves, and traitors are not victims... but accomplices” -- George Orwell
“Fere libenter homines id quod volunt credunt." (The people gladly believe what they wish to.) ~Julius Caesar
“Describing the problem is quite different from knowing the solution. Except in politics." ~ OCS