69-Year-Old Jewish Man Dies After Fight With Pro-Palestinian Protester in California

An elderly man protesting in support of Israel has died after sustaining a head injury during an altercation with a counter-protester at a rally, said police.

People demonstrate calling for the end of what they call the Israeli occupation of Palestine, in Los Angeles on Oct. 12, 2023. Robyn Beck/AFP via Getty Images

A 69-year-old man demonstrating in support of Israel died Nov. 6 after sustaining a head injury during a fight with a pro-Palestinian protester at a weekend rally in Thousand Oaks, about 40 miles northwest of Los Angeles.

The Ventura County medical examiner has ruled Paul Kessler’s death a homicide, and the county sheriff’s office has not ruled out a hate crime. Mr. Kessler was Jewish, according to the Jewish Federation of Greater Los Angeles.