Jewish man dies after confrontation during pro-Israel and pro-Palestinian demonstrations | CityNews Calgary

A 69-year-old Jewish man died Monday after falling and putting his head following a confrontation the day before today throughout competing pro-Israel and pro-Palestinian demonstrations in suburban Los Angeles, authorities mentioned.

Paul Kessler’s demise was being investigated as a murder and authorities haven’t dominated out the likelihood a hate crime occurred, mentioned a press release from the Ventura County Sheriff’s Department. No arrests had been made.

Kessler was injured shortly earlier than 3:30 p.m. Sunday throughout competing demonstrations in Thousand Oaks, a metropolis of about 125,000 northwest of Los Angeles. Police obtained experiences {that a} battery had occurred and deputies despatched to the scene discovered Kessler affected by a head wound, the division mentioned.

“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,” the division mentioned.

An post-mortem performed Monday decided Kessler died from a blunt power head harm and it was murder, the division mentioned.

The Jewish Federation of Greater Los Angeles mentioned Kessler was Jewish and that he was struck within the head by a megaphone held by a pro-Palestinian demonstrator. The sheriff’s division didn’t instantly affirm these particulars however deliberate a news convention Tuesday morning.

Rabbi Michael Barclay of Temple Ner Simcha in Westlake Village, close to Thousand Oaks, urged individuals to keep away from leaping to conclusions about what occurred.

“I just got off the phone with the Chief of Police,” he posted on X, previously Twitter. “They have conflicting reports of what happened, and they did interview the suspect that is identified in social media at the event. They have no video.”

He mentioned police are being cautious earlier than making accusations. “We need to do the same; and not let this become a spark that starts an inferno,” he wrote.

Since the warfare between Israel and Hamas broke out final month protests have been held all over the world.

Robert Jablon, The Associated Press