Yaakov Teitel
Encyclopedia
Yaakov "Jack" Teitel is an American-Israeli Orthodox Jew
arrested in October 2009 for his alleged connection to various acts of domestic terror. Teitel moved to Israel in 2000, and has been living since then in the West-Bank settlement of Shvut Rachel
.
Teitel lived in Israel for several months in 1997 and subsequently emigrated to Israel in 2000. He was arrested after handing out posters in an ultra-orthodox Jerusalem neighbourhood praising the 2009 Tel Aviv gay centre shooting
. Israel police revealed that Teitel, who apparently acted alone, admitted a string of terrorist attacks and attempted attacks, including a pipe-bomb attack against Zeev Sternhell, murdering a Palestinian taxi driver and a West Bank shepherd in 1997 and sending a booby-trapped package to the home of a Messianic Jewish
family in Ariel
. A search of his home revealed a cache of guns and parts used in explosive devices.
Teitel was also suspected of murdering two police officers in the Jordan Valley and confessed to the gay centre shooting
, though the police have stated that they are certain he was not involved in either.
On 10 November 2009, the Jerusalem District Prosecutor's office declared that Teitel will be charged with the murdering of the two Palestinians, incitement to racism, deploying explosive devices and sabotage. Teitel's legal defense is provided by Honenu, an organization which provides legal defense for Israelis accused of crimes against Arabs or the Israeli security forces. Honenu founder Shmuel Meidad suggested that Teitel may be mentally unstable, stating that "It's my impression that this man is sick, but he's not nearly as sick as the state." On 4 May 2010, Jerusalem's district psychiatrist ruled Teitel unfit to stand trial. The evaluation was criticized by Israeli-Arab Knesset
members, with Ahmed Tibi stating "An Arab who shoots a Jew in Israel is a terrorist, but a Jew who shoots Arabs is insane." Following a new psychiatric evaluation, the district court overturned the previous ruling and declared Teitel fit for trial, on 30 August.
Orthodox Judaism
Orthodox Judaism , is the approach to Judaism which adheres to the traditional interpretation and application of the laws and ethics of the Torah as legislated in the Talmudic texts by the Sanhedrin and subsequently developed and applied by the later authorities known as the Gaonim, Rishonim, and...
arrested in October 2009 for his alleged connection to various acts of domestic terror. Teitel moved to Israel in 2000, and has been living since then in the West-Bank settlement of Shvut Rachel
Shvut Rachel
Shvut Rachel is an Israeli settlement and a city in the West Bank, located 30 miles north of Jerusalem. Shvut Rachel is located in the Shiloh area in Binyamin. Nearby Israeli settlements include Shilo, Giv'at Har'el, Esh Kodesh, Keeda, and Adei Ad. The village, administrated by the Matte Binyamin...
.
Teitel lived in Israel for several months in 1997 and subsequently emigrated to Israel in 2000. He was arrested after handing out posters in an ultra-orthodox Jerusalem neighbourhood praising the 2009 Tel Aviv gay centre shooting
2009 Tel Aviv gay centre shooting
The 2009 Tel Aviv gay centre shooting resulted in the deaths of two people and injuries to at least fifteen others at the Tel Aviv branch of the Israeli GLBT Association, at the "Bar-Noar" , on Nahmani Street in Tel Aviv, Israel, on 1 August 2009. A 26-year-old man and a 17-year-old girl were killed...
. Israel police revealed that Teitel, who apparently acted alone, admitted a string of terrorist attacks and attempted attacks, including a pipe-bomb attack against Zeev Sternhell, murdering a Palestinian taxi driver and a West Bank shepherd in 1997 and sending a booby-trapped package to the home of a Messianic Jewish
Messianic Judaism
Messianic Judaism is a syncretic religious movement that arose in the 1960s and 70s. It blends evangelical Christian theology with elements of Jewish terminology and ritual....
family in Ariel
Ariel (city)
Ariel is an Israeli settlement and a city in the West Bank. Ariel was established in 1978. Its population at the end of 2009 was 17,600, including 7,000 immigrants who came to Israel after 1990. It is the fourth largest Jewish settlement city in the West Bank., after Modi'in Illit, Beitar Illit,...
. A search of his home revealed a cache of guns and parts used in explosive devices.
Teitel was also suspected of murdering two police officers in the Jordan Valley and confessed to the gay centre shooting
2009 Tel Aviv gay centre shooting
The 2009 Tel Aviv gay centre shooting resulted in the deaths of two people and injuries to at least fifteen others at the Tel Aviv branch of the Israeli GLBT Association, at the "Bar-Noar" , on Nahmani Street in Tel Aviv, Israel, on 1 August 2009. A 26-year-old man and a 17-year-old girl were killed...
, though the police have stated that they are certain he was not involved in either.
On 10 November 2009, the Jerusalem District Prosecutor's office declared that Teitel will be charged with the murdering of the two Palestinians, incitement to racism, deploying explosive devices and sabotage. Teitel's legal defense is provided by Honenu, an organization which provides legal defense for Israelis accused of crimes against Arabs or the Israeli security forces. Honenu founder Shmuel Meidad suggested that Teitel may be mentally unstable, stating that "It's my impression that this man is sick, but he's not nearly as sick as the state." On 4 May 2010, Jerusalem's district psychiatrist ruled Teitel unfit to stand trial. The evaluation was criticized by Israeli-Arab Knesset
Knesset
The Knesset is the unicameral legislature of Israel, located in Givat Ram, Jerusalem.-Role in Israeli Government :The legislative branch of the Israeli government, the Knesset passes all laws, elects the President and Prime Minister , approves the cabinet, and supervises the work of the government...
members, with Ahmed Tibi stating "An Arab who shoots a Jew in Israel is a terrorist, but a Jew who shoots Arabs is insane." Following a new psychiatric evaluation, the district court overturned the previous ruling and declared Teitel fit for trial, on 30 August.