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Jewish man dies after being struck by pro-Palestinian protester, LA Jewish federation says
This is a developing story.
(JTA) — A Jewish man has died after a pro-Palestinian protester struck him in the head with a megaphone on Sunday, according to the local Jewish federation.
The altercation occurred at a pro-Palestinian protest on Sunday in Westlake Village in the Los Angeles area. According to a statement by the Jewish Federation of Greater Los Angeles, the man was struck in the head with a megaphone held by one of the protesters and died of his wounds on Monday. The Jewish Telegraphic Agency has confirmed that the man’s name is Paul Kessler. A Jewish security official confirmed the account of how he died.
A brief video circulating on social media shows an elderly man in a blue-and-white striped shirt and jeans lying on a sidewalk and clutching his head in a pool of blood. A woman wearing pro-Palestinian symbols crouches down to tend to him, as does another man. An Israeli flag is leaning against a nearby wall.
JTA calls to the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office and Misaskim, a local group that assists with Jewish burial, were not immediately returned. The federation said in its statement that it is awaiting more information from law enforcement.
“We are devastated to learn of the tragic death of an elderly Jewish man who was struck in the head by a megaphone wielded by a pro-Palestinian protestor in Westlake Village,” the federation statement says. “Our hearts are with the family of the victim.”
The man’s death occurred a month into a war between Israel and Hamas in Gaza, which began after the terror group invaded Israel on Oct. 7, killing and wounding thousands. Mass pro-Israel and pro-Palestinian demonstrations have occurred nationwide and globally, and officials have warned of rising antisemitism and islamophobia in the weeks since Oct. 7. While other physical altercations and assaults have taken place surrounding protests or the hanging of posters, this is the first death reported due to a protest connected to the war.
The federation’s statement also referenced previous antisemitic incidents in the area this year, including the arrest of a man in February who shot two men outside their synagogues. On Oct. 26, a man was arrested after breaking into a Jewish family’s home and saying he wanted to kill Jews. The suspect in that case did not injure anyone.
“We remind you that this is the fourth major antisemitic crime committed in Los Angeles this year alone,” the statement said. “Violence against our people has no place in civilized society. We demand safety. We will not tolerate violence against our community. We will do everything in our power to prevent it.”
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The post Jewish man dies after being struck by pro-Palestinian protester, LA Jewish federation says appeared first on Jewish Telegraphic Agency.
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Trump Envoy Says US Expects Phase Two of Israel-Hamas Ceasefire Deal to Proceed
US President Donald Trump’s Middle East envoy-designate Steve Witkoff gives a speech at the inaugural parade inside Capital One Arena on the inauguration day of Trump’s second presidential term, in Washington, DC, Jan. 20, 2025. Photo: REUTERS/Carlos Barria
President Donald Trump’s Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff said on Sunday the US expects the second phase of the Israel-Hamas ceasefire deal to go forward and that he would visit the Middle East in the coming week.
Witkoff made the comments in a CNN “State of the Union” interview after being asked about Israel’s decision to postpone the release of Palestinian prisoners and detainees and how he expected the ceasefire to be impacted by developments in the region.
“We have to get an extension of phase one,” Witkoff said. “I’ll be going to the region this week, probably Wednesday, to negotiate that.”
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office said on Sunday Israel was waiting to deliver 620 Palestinian prisoners and detainees “until the release of the next hostages has been assured, and without the humiliating ceremonies.” Hamas handed over six hostages from Gaza on Saturday.
Some Israeli hostages and Palestinian prisoners and detainees have been released as part of a three-phase ceasefire in Gaza that went into effect just before Trump took office on January 20.
Palestinian officials have cited the blindfolding and binding of hands of Palestinian prisoners and detainees and warnings against holding celebrations at their release as examples of their humiliation by Israeli authorities.
Israel cites Hamas making hostages appear on stage in front of crowds and sometimes speak before they are handed over, as well as parading coffins with hostage remains through crowds.
Witkoff told CNN that Netanyahu was “well-motivated” and that Hamas cannot continue to govern Gaza.
Trump himself has faced international condemnation for his proposal to take over Gaza and permanently displace Palestinians there. Rights experts and the United Nations have called it a proposal for ethnic cleansing.
The post Trump Envoy Says US Expects Phase Two of Israel-Hamas Ceasefire Deal to Proceed first appeared on Algemeiner.com.
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Israel Won’t Allow HTS Forces in Southern Syria, Netanyahu Says
A person waves a flag adopted by the new Syrian rulers, as people gather during a celebration called by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) near the Umayyad Mosque, after the ousting of Syria’s Bashar al-Assad, in Damascus, Syria, Photo: December 20, 2024. Photo: REUTERS/Ammar Awad/File Photo
Israel on Sunday said it will not tolerate presence of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) in southern Syria, nor any other forces affiliated with the country’s new rulers, and demanded the territory be demilitarized.
Former Al Qaeda affiliate HTS took control of Damascus on December 8 in a stunning offensive, ending then-president Bashar al-Assad’s rule and prompting a wary Israel to move forces into a U.N.-monitored demilitarized zone within Syria.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that Israel will keep its positions there as a defensive measure and for as long as is necessary.
“We will not allow forces of the HTS or the new Syrian army to enter the territory south of Damascus. We demand full demilitarization of southern Syria, in the provinces of Quneitra, Daraa and Sweida,” Netanyahu said at a military graduation ceremony.
“And we will not tolerate any threat to the Druze sect in southern Syria,” he added. The Druze, who practice an offshoot of Islam, are a minority group in Syria as well as Israel.
Syria has demanded Israel withdraw its forces from the country. The United Nations says Israel’s move into Syrian territory is a violation of international agreements and has also called for the troops to be withdrawn.
The post Israel Won’t Allow HTS Forces in Southern Syria, Netanyahu Says first appeared on Algemeiner.com.
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Bibas Family Thanks Israel for ‘Warm Embrace’ in ‘Moment of Crisis’
Ariel and Kfir Bibas. Photo: Hostages and Missing Families Forum
i24 News – The Bibas family thanked Israelis for their ongoing support on Sunday, following their receiving the bodies of Kfir, Ariel, and Shiri last week.
“During these painful and difficult days, there are no words to describe the level of gratitude that we feel towards all of you,” the family said in a statement. “The warm embrace, the love and the strength that you have sent us from all over Israel and the world strength us and accompany us during these moments of crisis.”
The bodies of four-year-old Ariel and nine-month-old Kfir were returned to Israel on Thursday, along with 83-year-old Oded Lifshitz. Another body, purportedly belonging to Shiri, was also returned, although forensic tests identified her as an unknown Gazan woman.
Her body was transferred over the weekend, ahead of the release of six living Israeli hostages.
“We sense the open hearts, the enormous embrace, your pain alongside our pain – which we don’t take for granted,” the statement said.
The funerals will be held on Wednesday, with the family requesting it remain a small ceremony “only be for members of the family and close friends.”
That being said, the Bibas family said it appreciated the support, and wished to make room for well-wishers by publishing the route of the funeral procession. Eulogies will be broadcast, with details forthcoming.
“We thank you all from the bottom of our hearts – for the love, for the embrace, for the tears that we have all shed,” the statement said. “We don’t have sufficient words to express our appreciation for all that you have given us at this time.”
“Please respect our choice to say our goodbyes during these final moments in the way that is right for us. The knowledge that you are with us, that your hearts are beating alongside ours, strengthens us with every breath.”
The post Bibas Family Thanks Israel for ‘Warm Embrace’ in ‘Moment of Crisis’ first appeared on Algemeiner.com.
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