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Thousand Oaks protester Paul Kessler is being honored a year after his death

by November 10, 2024

On Friday, a crowd gathered at an intersection in Thousand Oaks to honor Paul Kessler, a pro-Israel protester who died last year.

Kessler, 69, of Thousand Oaks, was injured in an altercation with Moorpark resident Loay Alnaji on November 5, 2023. He died early the next morning.

Alnaji, 51, had joined other pro-Palestinian protesters at the intersection of Thousand Oaks and Westlake boulevards, which had become a regular protest site for both sides of the conflict in the weeks following the October 7, 2023 Hamas attack on Israel and Israel fatal reaction.

On Friday, Kessler supporters said he would not be forgotten.

“This type of tragedy occurring in our own community is unimaginable. I hope our community can come together and heal,” said Karen Blum of Westlake Village, who attended the memorial service.

Prosecutors with the Ventura County District Attorney’s Office allege Alnaji used a megaphone to hit Kessler, who was thrown to the sidewalk. Kessler hit the back of his head and suffered injuries from which he was unable to recover. He died on November 6, 2023 at Los Robles Regional Medical Center.

The public prosecutor’s office has charged Alnaji with negligent homicide by an unlawful act. Alnaji pleaded not guilty.

The defense claims Alnaji acted in self-defense and that Kessler died because a previously diagnosed brain tumor caused him to collapse.

Rabbi Mark Blazer said the community wanted to commemorate the tragedy a year after Kessler’s death. Blazer said this could have happened to any Jew.

“When he came out this time last year wearing only an Israel flag, he had no idea that it would be his last day on earth,” Blazer said.

Blazer expressed sadness that Friday’s event followed an incident of anti-Semitic attacks on Israeli soccer fans in Amsterdam that resulted in several injuries and arrests.

“It wasn’t just a day, a week or even a year, but it was a very, very difficult year,” he said.

Israel Bachar, Consul General of Israel in the Pacific Southwest, said the community should remember Kessler and ensure his courage is not forgotten.

“We won’t forget it,” he said.

Reporter Kathleen Wilson contributed to this report.

Wes Woods II covers West County for the Ventura County Star. Reach him at [email protected], 805-437-0262 or @JournoWes.

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