Update: Bomber of Christian family deemed fit to stand trial

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Yaakov "Jack" Teitel
Photo: Shin Bet

An American-born man who bombed the home of a Messianic Jewish family in a Jewish settlement town has been declared fit to stand trial. Yaakov "Jack" Teitel, 39, stands accused of planting a bomb in the home of Pastor David Ortiz in 2008 (for more information, click here). Teitel, who has been dubbed the "Jewish terrorist," is also charged with the murder of two Palestinians and with other serious offenses.

Teitel's lawyers had tried to argue that he was not mentally competent, but a district court judge in Jerusalem ruled that the married father of four is fit for trial. He emigrated from Florida to Israel in 2000, and in March 2008, Teitel attempted to murder 15-year-old Ami Ortiz, the son of a Messianic Jewish couple in Ariel, by allegedly placing a bomb in a Purim gift basket at the Ortiz's home. The bomb, believed to be intended for Ami's father, exploded when the teenager opened it, and he was severely burned and injured by shrapnel. The trial is scheduled to begin in several weeks.

Please pray that Ami will continue to heal and that all the victims of Teitel's violence will be comforted. Pray that authorities will act justly in this case. Pray that Teitel will repent and come to know the Lord Jesus Christ.

For more information on the opposition facing Christians in Palestine, go to the Palestine Country Report.

  • Palestine Information

    Population
    Gaza - 2,098,389 (2023 est.)
    West Bank - 3,176,549 (2023 est.)

    Religion (%)
    Gaza - Muslim (98-99), Christian and other (1-2),
    West Bank - Muslim (80-85), Jewish (12-14), Christian (1-2.5), other (<1)

    Leadership
    President Mahmud Abbas in the West Bank
    Hamas in the Gaza Strip

    Statistics: CIA World Factbook

  • Pray for Palestine

    Pray not only for the peace of the land, but also for both Jewish Israelis and Palestinian Arabs to meet the Prince of Peace, as it is through Him alone that any meaningful reconciliation will come.

    Pray Palestinian Christians who remain will stay strong in both their Christian faith and in their commitment to live out the gospel in very difficult conditions.

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Palestine News

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