Alnaji Sentenced to One Year in Paul Kessler Death

Ventura County prosecutors said Loay Abdel Fattah Alnaji, 53, received one year in county jail and two years of felony probation for the November 2023 death of Paul Kessler, a 69-year-old Jewish pro-Israel protester in Thousand Oaks. Alnaji pleaded guilty in May to involuntary manslaughter and felony battery causing serious bodily injury, and admitted he used a weapon and that Kessler was particularly vulnerable. The DA says Alnaji struck Kessler with a megaphone during opposing pro-Israel and pro-Palestinian rallies, causing his fatal fall, and objected that a state-prison term was denied. Diaspora Jews deserve peaceful advocacy without street violence and clear deterrence when anti-Israel activism turns violent.