Paul Kessler stood up for the Israeli victims massacred by Hamas 4-weeks after Oct. 7, '23 before being struck to his death by Loay Alnaji
Just 29 days after the October 7, 2023 Hamas massacre, the Islamic Society of Simi Valley — from an area with too few Jews to annoy locally — deliberately returned to the more Jewish neighborhood of Thousand Oaks where they antagonized residents and incited people against their Jewish neighbors. It was during that protest that Loay Alnaji struck Paul Kessler in the face with a megaphone. The coroner found marks on Kessler’s face consistent with the blow. Mr. Kessler fell, incurred fatal head trauma, and passed within 8 hours.
Hal Eisner, KTTV (2023): “Paul Kessler was murdered for the simple act of carrying an Israeli flag.” A student at the scene also reported hearing: “we need to kill you all… you’re not belonging here.”
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The public has been eagerly anticipating trial. Instead, on May 5, 2026, Mr. Alnaji entered a guilty plea to involuntary manslaughter. Defense attorney Ron Bamieh revealed that Judge Derek Malan — who only took over the case after original Judge Ryan Wright died at age 53 in September 2025 — offered Alnaji up to 365 days in county jail plus 3 years formal probation after several private meetings with the defense attorney alone. Bamieh told reporters it was merely “two old guys had a dispute and an accident happened.”
Loay Alnaji, carrying the bullhorn he used to strike Paul Kessler, accompanied by Nashat Mshaiel from the Islamic Society of Simi Valley.
This bypassed normal protocol in which plea negotiations are conducted by the District Attorney with input from the victim’s family. The Ventura County DA’s office and Paul Kessler’s family strongly objected, yet their position was overruled. Sentencing is scheduled for June 25, 2026.
Importantly, even the “up to 365 days” in county jail is highly discretionary. At the June 25 sentencing, Judge Malan can — and often does in Ventura County — reduce actual jail time dramatically through credits, good behavior, work release, or other considerations. It is entirely possible Alnaji could serve only a few days, a few weeks, or even be released the same day with time served.
This is the predictable outcome of a system in a city that refuses to treat Islamist antisemitic violence with the seriousness it deserves.
Look at the clear pattern of antisemitic crimes suffered by Los Angeles' Jews in recent years:
- UCLA Encampment (Spring 2024): Over 200 arrests, but the only two people actually prosecuted were Jewish pro-Israel counter-protesters.
- 2020 BLM attacks on Jewish stores (Beverly Blvd, Fairfax Blvd, Pico Blvd): Numerous Jewish-owned businesses were smashed, looted, and robbed, many with explicit antisemitic targeting. Virtually zero meaningful prosecutions or sentences.
- Adas Torah Synagogue riot (June 2024): Muslims rioted and battered Jews outside the synagogue. Zero reported prosecutions or sentences for the attackers.
Yet in Paul Kessler’s case — the first prominent killing of a Jewish-American by a Muslim anti-Israel demonstrator — it wasn't just an “accident between two old guys.” The eyewitnesses tell a very different story.
Jon Oswaks (eyewitness, standing with Rabbi Mark Blazer): “They tried with me first… they stalked us before this happened… they had it out for you 100%. Paul was holding his cell phone when Alnaji punched him with a megaphone… it was shown in court that it wasn’t self-defense.”
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Rabbi Mark Blazer at the 1-year vigil (Nov 2024): “...on the anniversary of his murder we're calling on the DA in Ventura County... to make sure that those who perpetrated this act of hate, this act of violence are brought to Justice. It’s incumbent on our community to exercise Justice, to practice mercy and Justice, to help create peace, to help create shalom.”
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Dor Shachar (Gaza-raised, now Jewish): “Muhammad came with the Quran… he slaughtered children, cut off their heads… exactly what he did on October 7… The Jew and the Nazarene — cut him into tiny pieces… The Jews in Gaza gave them money and treated them in hospitals… and on October 7 they slaughtered them.”
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Rabbi Zvi Block (sitting with Jonathan Oswaks): “One man in a rage picked up an instrument and struck another man, and that striking caused his death… Our judicial system is insane if it gives only four years. This man should sit many years. This is a model case for Muslims across the world to see what Jews will do and what the court will do. I want 500 Jews in front of that courthouse on the sentencing day. Let the media take notice.”
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Never Again is not a slogan — it is an imperative. If we allow this targeted killing of a Jewish man holding an Israeli flag to be reduced to a mere “accident,” with the killer potentially serving only a tiny fraction of an already lenient sentence while he continues to collect a paycheck, we betray Paul Kessler and send a clear message that Jewish lives are disposable.
Paul Kessler’s blood cries out from the ground in Thousand Oaks. Let it not cry in vain.
Rabbi Meir Kahane – The absence of deterrence has deadly consequences.
How to Contact the Court – Demand Real Justice Before June 25
Note: Ventura County does not provide public email addresses for case correspondence. Please use the official contact forms or send physical letters so they become part of the official court record.
| Priority | Where to Send | Why | Contact Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| Best | Ventura County District Attorney’s Office | They prosecute the case and submit impact statements to the judge |
Phone: (805) 654-2500 Address: 800 S. Victoria Ave, Ventura, CA 93009 → Online Contact Form |
| Very Good | Ventura County Probation Agency | They prepare the official Pre-Sentence Report that Judge Malan will read |
Phone: (805) 654-2106 Address: 800 South Victoria Avenue, Ventura, CA 93009 → Online Contact Form |
| Good | Court Clerk – Hon. Derek Malan | Letter goes into the official court file that the judge will see |
Ventura County Superior Court 800 South Victoria Avenue Ventura, CA 93009 Re: People v. Loay Abdel Fattah Alnaji |
Strong Sample Letter (Customize and Send)
[Your Full Name] [Your Address] [City, State, ZIP] [Email] [Phone] [Date] Honorable Derek D. Malan Ventura County Superior Court 800 South Victoria Avenue Ventura, CA 93009 Re: People v. Loay Abdel Fattah Alnaji – Sentencing June 25, 2026 Dear Judge Malan, This is a landmark case: the first Jewish-American family bereaved by a Muslim immigrant anti-Israel protester. A light sentence in this case will not deter further Muslim violence against Jewish people. I respectfully urge the Court to impose the maximum sentence allowed by law. Thank you for your time and consideration. Sincerely, [Your Full Name]
It might be useful to send copies to both the DA’s Office and Probation. The more voices raised before June 25, the better the chance for real justice.
