Bomber of Christian family in the West Bank deemed fit to stand trial

Yaakov "Jack" Teitel
(Photo: Shin Bet)

An American-born man who bombed the home of a Messianic Jewish family in the West Bank has been declared fit to stand trial, reports our sister mission, VOM-USA.

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.

Teitel 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!

• 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.