An elderly Jewish man who died during clashes with pro-Palestinian protesters was mourned this week as a “symbol” of strength amid growing antisemitic hatred.
Paul Kessler was defending his long-held belief that Jews have the right to live and prosper without harassment or fear on a corner of suburban Los Angeles on Sunday when he fell to the ground and hit his head, according to his longtime rabbi.
“Like most Jews, he loved Israel, believed that Jews should be allowed to live in Israel,” Rabbi Ari Averbach of Thousand Oaks Temple Etz Chaim told the Los Angeles Times as questions about his death lingered.
The 69-year-old father of two had staged a pro-Israel counter-protest with an Israeli flag in hand after a neighbor asked him to stand in front of a pro-Palestinian demonstration that had gathered at a nearby intersection.
Investigators said Kessler had been fighting with a pro-Palestinian protester when he fell, but witnesses claimed the unidentified individual had “stalked” the elderly man before hitting him over the head with a microphone.
He died at an area hospital several hours later, with investigators ruling the manner of death a homicide from blunt force trauma to the head consistent with a fall — although medical determinations did not indicate a crime had been committed.
Paul Kessler died after falling and hitting his head while clashing with pro-Palestinian protesters.AP
Kessler also suffered injuries that “could be consistent” with a blow to the face, but it was unclear what caused him to fall, the Ventura County medical examiner said.
His death — and the lack of a resolution in the case — only heightened concerns among members of the local Jewish community that Kessler might be attacked because of his support for Israel.
“He’s become a symbol for something bigger — that wasn’t his intention,” Averbach said. “He’s not looking for trouble.”
Despite the growing fear, some religious leaders warned their members not to rush to judgment and instead put their faith in local law enforcement.
Kessler’s death was ruled a homicide, although medical determinations did not indicate a crime had been committed.ABC7
Averbach said he did not want Jews to take revenge and only widen the rift stemming from the Israel-Hamas crisis.
“The world is watching right now – a small interaction with a neighbor is now a global crisis,” he told the outlet. “I hope it doesn’t continue or get worse. … I hope that anyone at any gathering can feel safe.”
“Our society is really shaken right now,” he added. “We’re trying to figure out how to continue living here … To stand with us and mourn with us, it reminds me that this can – or should – be a safe place.”
The synagogue held a small private vigil in Kessler’s memory on Wednesday, as community members decorated the carpet on the street corner where he fell to his death with flowers and candles.
People unknown to the old man carpeted the street corner where he had his fatal fall with flowers and candles.Getty Images
“I don’t want people to think this guy is unimportant,” a local synagogue member, who did not want to be named, told the outlet.
Another local resident said Kessler’s death brought the war – which has claimed about 1,300 Israelis and more than 11,000 Palestinians – closer to home.
“When missiles and bombs happen in Israel and Gaza, you feel it to some degree, but you really feel it when we’re within two miles and somebody — whether it’s an accident or he’s pushed or hit, we don’t I don’t know — but it wouldn’t have happened without this conflict,” said Chuck Conway, who lives near the suburban town where Kessler fell.
The Ventura County Sheriff’s Office said Thursday it was “working around the clock to track down leads, examine electronic data and verify witness statements.”
A person lays flowers at a makeshift memorial at the site of the altercation.Getty Images
Investigators have requested video and photo evidence from the incident, especially if it records the alleged assault that took place, adding that many of the witness statements contradict each other.
“There are pictures and videos before and after the incident,” the statement said.
“At this time, we do not have any footage of the actual incident that took place, which would be very helpful in this case and would certainly indicate or even disprove criminal wrongdoing.”
Categories: Trending
Source: thtrangdai.edu.vn/en/
