“By God’s grace, we received a little bit of justice”

“By God’s grace,
we received a little bit of justice”

What you don’t know behind the scenes
of the recent Israeli court victory
 against the bomber of Messianic Ami Ortiz. 

By Donna Diorio
April 14, 2013

Ami, Leah and David Ortiz several months ago in New York City.

Leah Ortiz says that from the very beginning God told her to pray for the man who tried to kill her son.  “I didn’t know who Jack Teitel was but He gave me the love of God and told me to pray for the person that did this, and to pray for his salvation.”

Chris Mitchell in a CBN interview asks Leah, “Have you and David and Ami and the family forgiven Jack?”  Leah answers, “All of us had to from the very beginning otherwise we would have been prisoners along with him. We would have been destroyed and we wouldn’t have been able to receive any kind of healing in our lives whatsoever.”

Leah answering questions from the press after Teitel's sentencing

 David giving CBN an interview after Teitel's sentencing

David Ortiz said that Ami is doing better than most people because he had forgiven Teitel from the beginning adding that Ami, “didn’t want to be a victim twice.”

Outside the courtroom after the final sentencing, David said in the Maoz interview, “By God’s grace, we received a little bit of justice.  We’re not in heaven yet, but by God’s grace what has been on our minds, besides the justice, we’ve been thinking we wouldn’t want this to happen to somebody else. And this is why we continued going forward.”

Howard Bass, who leads a Messianic congregation in Beer Sheva that has also been targeted for violent religious mob attacks in the past several years, was also at the courthouse to lend moral support to David and Leah.  

 Howard Bass doing an interview with Maoz after Teitel's sentencing

Howard said, “He (Teitel) has no regret for what he did. He said he’s proud of what he did and would do it again. So I’m happy that the judges gave him all that they could.”

Bass made a very important observation in this interview.  He said, “I think the Ortiz’ were exemplary in bringing this to the fore.  I don’t think without them Teitel would even have been caught.”

For those who do not know, the investigators did not want to aggressively pursue this religious bombing of a Messianic Jewish family wherever it led, because early on, it led directly to religious Jewish accomplices.  

The Ortiz family, like many Messianic ministers in Israel, is equipped with security systems because of the threat to their personal security by religious opposition.  So the family had security tapes that actually captured the street view when Jack Teitel was dropped off and then picked up again after he had placed the booby-trapped gift basket on the Ortiz family doorstep.

What many Christian onlookers do not realize is what a disappointing roller coaster ride the Ortiz family has endured seeking accountability for the bombing of their son in their home because of their faith in Yeshua. 

It is wonderful to see Jack Teitel finally being brought to some measure of accountability but the accountability falls short of exposing the religious persecution against their faith that drove the bombing.  Therefore the threat remains in play for the entire Israeli Messianic community from religious zealots like Jack Teitel.  Even the Israeli public is not aware of all the damning evidence that was buttoned down and not allowed to emerge in a trial.

All along there has been reluctance by Israeli officials to allow the facts specifically of the Ortiz bombing to be aired in open court.  Even the Israeli public has not seen the hard evidence that Jack Teitel did not act alone.  There is the security tape and Teitel’s own admission to police investigators that he worked with Yad L’Achim (Hand to Brothers), a religious activist group that works relentlessly against Messianic Jews in Israel. 

Decmber 2005 an angry religious mob surrounds and invades
the Beer Sheva Messianic congregation

Yad L’Achim is also the group that was behind stirring up the two mob actions (1998 and 2005) against the Beer Sheva congregation, and although the Israeli courts called the 2005 mob action an "extremely serious event," ultimately they failed to find the religious leaders accountable for directing the mob.  This was a civil trial brought by the Beer Sheva congregation in order to discourage similar religious actions against other congregation or individuals in the Body of Messiah in Israel.

So the backdrop to Jack Teitel’s bombing of the Ortiz family in 2008 is that Israeli police investigations have never been aggressive in pursuing arrests – even in various fire bombings of Messianic congregations and facilities, much less other acts of intimidation and vandalism. 

After Jack Teitel also set a bomb at a Leftist Israeli peace activist’s doorstep in September 2008 the investigation into Teitel picked up. At the same time the Israeli LGBT community began to receive threats similar to fliers that had been circulated against professor Sternhell and the Messianic Ortiz family before they were bombed.  

In May of 2009, a little over a year after the bombing of Ami Ortiz, two FBI agents visited Israel with information on Jack Teitel, including the fact that Teitel had a police record in the U.S.  So it is clear that Israel already had focused eyes on Teitel months before arresting him.  Tietel was finally arrested in September 2009 but due to a gag order placed on the case, no one could report it until November 1, 2009. 

Throughout the investigation, the Ortiz family was kept in the dark about the status of the investigation.  What little they knew, might have come from the U.S. investigations of the case because the FBI became involved early and directly with the Ortiz family because of their dual US-Israeli citizenship. 

According to de-classified documents from the State Department obtained through Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests, the U.S. government has for years kept track of religious persecution incidents reported to Israeli police, as well as any incidents involving American citizens either as victims or perpetrators.

Although the Israeli Shin Bet were supposed to notify the FBI that American citizens had been involved in an attack, they failed to make the FBI notifications for almost a year after the bombing.  Once Teitel was arrested Israel officials were still not eager to bring the facts about the bombing of the Ortiz family into the courts and after Teitel’s arrest the information lock out of the family did not change. 

The State Prosecutor tried to keep the Ortiz family – and their lawyer – out of hearings and other court proceedings by failing to notify them of hearing cancellations and rescheduling. For most of the hearings, the family was not even allowed to be in the courtroom.  They still made great effort to be in attendance for proceedings, if only in the waiting areas outside the courtroom.

Three years passed as the case was delayed from coming to trial as Teitel’s defense attorneys were allowed repeatedly to get new mental health assessments for their client.  Time after time court appointed psychiatrists concluded that Teitel was mentally stable to stand trial, but the defense was allowed to try, try again for someone who would say Teitel was mentally not accountable for his actions. If the security tape evidence that investigators had from the beginning had ever seen the light of day in court, mental fitness is an idea would have been put down completely.  It is pretty hard to make a case for mental incapacity when a conspiracy to commit a crime is in play.

Is it any wonder that the Ortiz family were on an emotional roller coaster for several years not knowing if the man who tried to kill their family and who represented a distinct existential threat to the Israeli Messianic community might walk free after serving only a few years in a mental facility?  Three years is an excessively long time for any court to kick around a mental assessment of a confessed murderer and attempted murdered.

Then in May of 2012, Israeli newspapers noted that judges had accepted an “unusual plea bargain” between the State Prosecutor in the case and Teitel’s defense team which would allow Teitel to admit to the cold blooded murders of two Palestinians conditioned upon the State dropping the indictments against him in the attempted murders – including the bombing of Ami Ortiz. 

As it was framed in the media explanations the attempted murder indictments were to be dropped because the authorities had foiled the attempts.  Certainly that was not the case in the indictment against Teitel for bombing Ami Ortiz.

According to the Jerusalem Post on May 29, 2012:  “The amended indictment includes 10 of the original 14 charges against Teitel, including two murders and two attempted murders, after the prosecution agreed to remove charges relating to attempted attacks that the authorities had foiled.”

Finally in a surprising turn of events in January 2013, the judges did a turnaround on the plea agreement and convicted him not only of the murders of two Palestinians in cold blood, but also for the attempted murders of Ami Ortiz and Professor Zeev Sternhell. In the words of the Ortiz family at that time,

“For three years the hearings revolved only around Teitel's mental state and when all those attempts were exhausted, a guilty plea was given, preventing a trial and the witnesses who could have testified and revealed who he worked for, and who helped him plan, prepare for and carry out his crimes.  There has been so much in this case that has been hidden in darkness and obscured.  Only the Lord can now uncover what needs to be brought into the light.”

After the sentencing was finally passed and after more defense delays, on April 9^th the Ortiz family was finally able to talk about the fact that the Israeli government has not recognized the bombing as a terrorist act.  That means that financial medical and legal assistance normally given to terrorism victims was denied to Ami. 

The state of Israel declared the bombing a “criminal” act not a “terrorist” act, in the thinking that a Jew cannot commit an act of terrorism against another Jew.  So the families of the two Palestinians that Teitel shot dead have received Israeli government financial assistance for legal expenses stemming from a terrorist act, but Messianic Jewish Ami who was packaged bombed is considered only to be a criminal case.   

Even the ruling of the judges specifically calling the bombing of Ami “terrorism” has not changed the government recognition of Ami as a victim of terror.  However, the judge calling it terrorism does open a case for the Ortiz family to appeal for the government to begin extending benefits to their son who is still in need of surgical procedures. 

Just last month another piece of shrapnel surfaced in Ami’s eye while away at college in the U.S. and had to be removed. His body still has pieces of shrapnel and there is also extensive scarring that Ami hopes to have surgically removed later this year by a technique developed for wounded warriors returning from Afghanistan.

The Ortiz family wrote a few days ago, “Throughout these five years we have been financially drained because of legal expenses for the uphill battle we have waged to protect our civil and human rights, and our right to be heard and respected as Jewish believers in Yeshua the Messiah, and the extra medical procedures Ami has needed.

“Many individual believers and believing organizations have greatly helped us, and we are very grateful. But because this has dragged on for five years, it has been very difficult to catch up to and maintain the costs of fighting this battle on all fronts.”

Others have said it more plainly: even with the help of believers worldwide this family has been devastated financially.  

Ami immediately after the bomb blasted in his hands

Ami has many more surgical procedures in front of him even though he is a walking miracle to the grace and power of God.  Just surviving the arrival of the ambulance after the bombing was a miracle of God’s grace toward the family.

From someone who has followed this case from the first news of the bombing by every report from the family and the believers in Israel, I can say without any reservation that the Ortiz family walked out this devastating event with the clear grace of God upon them.  That is why this morning it made me smile as I thought about David and Leah standing before the cameras and press outside the courtroom after sentencing on Teitel was passed. 

Then I had a sobering thought.  This family is like the witness to Israel that Stephen was in Acts 7. 

Stephen prayed for the religious zealots even while they were stoning him to death.  Thank God that Ami Ortiz did not die and it was a miracle of God that he did not, but that does not lessen the impact of the powerful witness by the Ortiz family throughout their ordeal, and even toward Jack Teitel who continued in unrepentant gloating even at his final sentencing.

The Ortiz family admits that it is their desire that someday God will soften Jack Teitel’s heart enough for them to go visit him in prison.  It is not out of the question that such a thing should occur, after all, a young man who was present at the stoning of Stephen – an ardent anti-Messianic Jew named Saul – eventually was given a revelation of Yeshua the Messiah. He then repented, changed directions and became the Apostle to the Gentiles, Paul.

As David said in the interview with Maoz, “I really feel bad for him, I really do.  We’ve been praying for him.”  

David said they pray for a time when Teitel is a little more sober in his mind that they can go to jail and speak to him.  “We would like that,” David said, “and we think that day is going to come.”  “He is bound by sin,” David said, “and we pray that he will be redeemed.”

Christians need to know the fuller picture behind this case and to understand what David Ortiz meant when he said after the sentencing that the family had “received a little bit of justice” but “we’re not in heaven yet.”  Full justice has not been delivered in this case – not for Ami, not for the family, and not for the whole Messianic community in Israel.

Still, as David notes that because of their personal ordeal in the bombing, with the press, “The name of Yeshua is mentioned all the time. There has not been a time with the journalists that that the name of Yeshua has not come up.”

“The LORD has in His mercy,” David said, “chosen us to suffer for His Name’s sake that His Name should be lifted up. That’s the only thing we take with us. Only Jesus.”

Please pray for the Ortiz family to be granted favor in their appeal of the terror victim benefits before the Israeli government.

If you would like to make a financial contribution to the family or toward the legal expenses, here’s how:

Donations to the family ministry: Regular dollar check or international money order to PO Box 1903 | Ariel | 40700 | Israel  

Or by wire transfer:  Bank Leumi | Branch  943 | 7 Habanim Street | Hod Hasharon Israel | Account: 66169/34 | Swift #:  L U M I I L I T T L V  

Donations for Ami's Medical Expenses by credit card via The Brooklyn Tabernacle

 Donations to Legal Expenses:  HATE CRIME PREVENTION FUND (HCPF) at www.amiortiz.com http://www.amiortiz.com/fundraiser.cfm

Arrows from Zion
is a Weekly Summary of Prayer Requests from the Israeli Ministries.
Compiled from actual ministry prayer letters received each week from both Messianic Jewish and Arab Christian pastors,
this summary will put strategic arrows into the hands of intercessors
who desire to pray God's will and vision for the salvation of Israel.
Romans 9-11 is the starting place for understanding
 the mystery of the plan of God for Israel and the Church in our days.

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Messianic Minister Defends Israel Against "Apartheid" Accusations

Urges: Please pass this information on so that the truth may be proclaimed and this strategy of the enemy defeated.

Article by Eddie Santoro
Ahavat Yeshua Congregation (Love of Yeshua) in Jerusalem

This past week the "American Muslims for Palestine", a rapidly growing anti-Israel organization launched an aggressive national ad campaign beginning in New York City's public transportation system, "informing" the general public of Israel's "apartheid" policy against the Palestinians who live in that country. As is always the case, the accusers are using lies to criminalize and de-legitimatize the existence of the state of Israel.

This is not surprising as Israel's primary enemy is the "father of lies" and  "When he lies, he speaks his native language".  (John 8:44)

The definition of the word apartheid according to the Farlex dictionary is "the policy of strict racial segregation and political and economic discrimination against a specific people group because of their skin color or race." Most people who will read the poster have never lived in Israel and have no understanding of the true meaning of the word or the actual condition of life in Israel. But the effect of the poster will undoubtedly warp the understanding of many.

Israel is not an apartheid nation and the Israeli government has no policy of strict racial separation.

Anyone who has ever visited Israel is keenly aware that the opposite is true. No matter where you go in Israel; the train station, the doctor's office, the emergency room in the hospital or any of Israel's government offices, malls or restaurants, life in this nation is integrated. Muslims wearing head scarves, ultra orthodox Jews in black, secular Israelis wearing very little and every other type of person you can imagine are jammed together into Israel's frenetic, closely packed life style. There is simply no policy of segregation in Israel. There are Arab neighborhoods and Jewish neighborhoods but even these are generally inhabited by people of all races.

In Israel, any Jew or Arab citizen can buy any house in any neighborhood and is free to frequent whatever establishments they might desire. How different this is from the Islamic nations that surround Israel and even all the areas within Israel that are under Palestinian control. It is illegal for a Jew to even enter these places, much less buy a residence or live there.

Another important mis-information to appreciate in the campaign's poster is the picture of the adult and child "victims" standing on ground that is hued to match the colors of the Palestinian flag between two oppressive walls.

Before the start of the two Palestinian intifadas (uprising), there were no walls!

Between the years 1987-2005, nearly one thousand Israeli civilians were blown up in restaurants, on buses, at bus stops, at parties, and at almost any other place where Jews gathered. The Palestinian terrorists were free to walk into Israel from their towns and carry out their terrorist campaign. The Palestinian Authority did nothing to prevent it and even encouraged these many acts of terror. After suffering many years of indescribable horrors and hundreds of deaths, the Israeli government built the separation walls to keep the terrorists out.

The walls are there as a result of a Palestinian policy of terror and murder. Would any other nation on the earth have done any less to protect their citizens?

And finally, not surprisingly, the poster contains one final misrepresentation that is also based on a lie. The land that the “victims” are standing on bears the colors of the Palestinian flag thus implying that somehow justice demands that it is the legitimate possession of the Palestinian people and must be "returned" to them.

There has never been a nation called Palestine in the history of the earth and the land itself has only been a part of one sovereign state throughout all history and that state is Israel. In recent times, this territory was promised to Israel in the Balfour Declaration of 1917, taken away in the White Paper of 1939, illegally occupied by the Jordanian government from 1948 until its legitimate return to Israel in the Six Day War of 1967.

But beyond all of this political manuvering is the undeniable truth that God himself gave the land as an eternal inheritance to Abraham and his descendants forever when he said to Abraham; "Now lift up your eyes and look from the place where you are, northward and southward and eastward and westward; for all the land which you see, I will give it to you and to your descendants forever." (Genesis 13:14) God gave the land to Israel as an eternal inheritance and any other interpretation is contrary to the clearly stated promises of God.

In the last days as the battle rages between darkness and light, one of the victims will be truth. It is not surprising that this Muslim Inspired campaign from beginning to end is just that; a misrepresentation of the truth. In the coming months, this campaign will be continuing in many of the major cities throughout the United States.

Please pass this information on so that the truth may be proclaimed and this strategy of the enemy defeated.

We thank you for standing with us. The best is yet to come!


This ministry can be contacted here Zion's Glory
at Tikkun Ministries International
.

President Obama's Visit to Israel

By Martin Sarvis

Perspective from a brother in JerusalemMarch 25, 2013

We pray that as you read, the Lord will grant you added and unique insights in how best to pray His Kingdom Come. 

It has been an unusual week in Israel. On Wednesday United States President Barak Obama arrived for a 2 1/2 -day visit to the land, his first in the office of President, and his first visit abroad since beginning his second term. In retrospect, there are aspects of his visit and his message for which we are grateful, others which we found troubling.

Israel went 'all out' to make the President feel as welcome as possible, lining the streets with signs about his coming (see above). To be honest, something about the message on these signs made us a bit uneasy. Visits by dignitaries to Israel are usually heralded with flags of his or her nation lining our streets, the focus being our desire to express friendship with that nation, whose leader or representative we are hosting. 

Yet here, apart from the dual-flag design above the message, no English-speaker (including the President) would see any allusion to a nation at all; the flag appeared to focus solely upon an "unbreakable alliance" and a person - "President Obama." The Hebrew, however, does use the words "Covenant of Nations" instead of "Unbreakable Alliance".

Might this reflect a feeling of longing for approval by this person from whom Israel has, for four years, sensed consistent dis-approval, perhaps even dislike? Should not celebrations of alliances focus upon the nations involved, rather than their representatives? But this time Israeli attention was being called to focused on one thing, "Obama in Israel".

"He had us at the word 'Shalom.'"

From the first the President appeared determined to change the negative image he released four years ago in Cairo. His speech upon arrival at Ben Gurion airport was extremely promising. He began his speech with "Shalom!", included a Hebrew phrase to declare his pleasure at being back in the land, and ended with, "I'm confident in declaring that our alliance is eternal, it is forever - lanetzach!"

Israelis love it when visiting leaders choose to drop a few Hebrew words into their speeches For years after President Clinton said, "Shalom, Ha'ver! Goodbye, Friend!" at the funeral of Yitzak Rabin, bumper stickers could be seen all over the country bearing those words. 

As Jerusalem Post analyst Herb Kainon put it, "We so want to be accepted, so want to be understood.He had us at the word 'Shalom.'"

And then the President said some truly remarkable things:

"I know that in stepping foot on this land, I walk with you on the historic homeland of the Jewish people. More than 3,000 years ago, the Jewish people lived here, tended the land here, prayed to God here. And after centuries of exile and persecution, unparalleled in the history of man, the founding of the Jewish State of Israel was a rebirth, a redemption unlike any in history. Today, the sons of Abraham and the daughters of Sarah are fulfilling the dream of the ages."

"Historic homeland of the Jewish people", "Jewish people lived here (more than 3,000 years ago)", "Jewish State of Israel"- it was surprising and touching to hear Mr. Obama saying such things; not many national leaders would be willing publically to make such statements today.

But the next morning, during a speech before Palestinian leaders in Ramallah just north of Jerusalem, certain limitations within which those statements were meant to be understood began to become clear.

The "historic homeland of the Jewish people" was there, but not here. They had "tended the land" there, "prayed to God" there - but not "here." Here-"the Palestinian people deserve an end to occupation and the daily indignities that come with it."

By "occupation" Mr. Obama is assumed to have meant any citizens of the "Jewish State of Israel" which belongs there - but not here, in this very different territory where "the United States is deeply committed to the creation of an independent and sovereign state of Palestine." 

Ironically, a little more than two miles away from where the President was speaking lies Bethel above which the Lord and God whom Mr. Obama himself claims to worship stood at the top of a heavenly ladder and proclaimed over Jacob, "I AM YHVH God of Abraham your father and the God of Isaac; The land on which you lie, I will give to you and your seed" (Genesis 28:13).

And the land specifically promised to Abraham and Sarah mentioned by Mr. Obama in his airport speech? It lies not between Jerusalem and Tel Aviv, but between Shechem which is modern-day Nablus, and Hebron - all within the bounds of the proposed Palestinian (Islamic) state.

Lastly, we would point out that in his airport speech, the President had said, "We stand together [Israel and America] because peace must come to the Holy Land."

The only place in the Bible where any place in Israel is referred to as "the Holy Land" is in Zechariah 2:12, "And the LORD will take possession of Judah as His inheritance in the Holy Land, and will again choose Jerusalem." These areas would both lie within the borders of the proposed Palestine.

Later in the day, the President returned to Jerusalem to give his main speech to the Israeli people. Before leaving the US, he had drawn criticism from Republicans in Congress for his decision against addressing the Israeli Knesset.

Within Israel, former Knesset Speaker MK Reuven Rivlin expressed the concern of many here: "Three American presidents have spoken on the Knesset stage, as well as [former Egyptian president Anwar] Sadat and leaders from Europe. President Obama should speak to the people of Israel through its elected representatives" (Rivlin slams Obama for not visiting Knesset, Jerusalem Post  20 Mar 2013).

Instead, the President chose to deliver his speech to the nation in a downtown auditorium before a carefully chosen audience consisting primarily of some 600 university students plus reporters. 

A large part of the speech consisted of a lecture on Mr. Obama's rationale for a negotiated settlement with the Palestinians, although he did not this time, as in the past, make specific demands from Israel, nor did he mention Jerusalem.

After conceding that "of course, Israel cannot be expected to negotiate with anyone who is dedicated to its destruction", Mr. Obama continued, "Neither occupation nor expulsion is the answer. Just as Israelis built a state in their homeland, Palestinians have a right to be a free people in their own land."

Earlier in the day Hamas operatives in Gaza made their presence known by launching five Qassam rockets into the Israeli border-town of Sderot. Reflecting the change in makeup of the new government, Economy and Trade minister Naphtali Bennett (who is also a member of Netanyahu's Political-Security Cabinet) was the first senior politician to respond to the speech.

Addressing the President's call to "end the occupation", he responded, "Generally there is no 'occupation' within one's own land.The results of our latest withdrawal [i.e. from Gaza] were felt this morning in Sderot." (Bennett on Obama's speech: No occupation in our own land. ynet news.com, 21 Mar 2013)

The first significant physical "accomplishment" of the President's visit came just before he departed, when Prime Minister Netanyahu made a personal telephone call to the Prime Minister of Turkey.

The Background
In 2010 a flotilla of activists led by the Turkish vessel Mavi Marmara sought to break Israel's blockade of Gaza, which had been taken over by the rogue terrorist organization Hamas. After warning the ships, Israel sent commandos to commandeer them before they entered the forbidden waters. As the soldiers slid down the rope from the helicopters onto the deck, they were met by hostile militants who began beating them with pipes, sticks, and wielding knives and slings.

Fighting for their lives, the Israelis were forced to drop their weapons bearing harmless "paint gun" pellets, and draw their real guns. In the fight, nine Turkish militants were killed. It was later discovered that several of the militants had planned to "fight to the death" and had left suicide films in Turkey before their 'martyrdom'. 
In 2011 a United Nations enquiry determined that although there were procedures in which Israel had erred, she had nevertheless been within her rights in defending the blockade and stopping the vessels which were bent on breaking it.

This report infuriated Turkish Prime Minister Erdogen (pronounced "Erdo-wan"), who withdrew diplomatic relations with Israel, demanded an official apology for her actions, vowed to bring the responsible Israeli generals to an international court as war criminals, and fueled production of a number of fictitious films shown throughout Turkey depicting Israeli soldiers brutalizing helpless Gazan Palestinian Arabs.

Last month Erdogen awakened international condemnation when he equated "Zionism" with "crimes against humanity"- a statement he subsequently withdrew.
Although expressing "regret" for the loss of life on the Mavi Marmara, Israel has persistently refused to formally "apologize". With the worsening crisis in Syria, including the danger of chemical weapons falling into the hands of different factions, the United States has been anxious that the two countries which used to be fast friends would resolve their differences. This was evidently a strong priority for President Obama in coming to Israel at this time. 

Friday, after a long conference with the President, Mr. Netanyahu finally telephoned his Turkish counterpart. The American President was reportedly on the line for the first minutes of the conversation. According to an official statement from Netanyahu's office, "In light of Israel's investigation into the incident which pointed to a number of operational mistakes, the prime minister expressed Israel's apology to the Turkish people for any mistakes that might have led to the loss of life or injury." 

Prime Minister Erdogen accepted the apology, the two Prime Ministers also addressed compensation for the families of those killed and the dropping of charges against Israeli soldiers, and the two agreed to normalize relation between the two countries. Just before leaving Israel, President Obama announced that the phone call had been made, and that "The United States deeply values our close partnership with both Turkey and Israel, and we attach great importance to the restoration of positive relations between them in order to advance regional peace and security."

We are not certain about the wisdom of the Israeli "apology" to Turkey or how effective it may prove. Of course, we long for a return of the friendship which existed between the two nations for so many years. We believe there to be a redemptive blessing which has existed on this friendship from long ago, when in the early 16th Century Turkey was one of the few countries to welcome Jews into their society after they had been expelled from Spain.

But Mr. Erdogen is the first strongly Islamic Prime Minister to lead Turkey since the dissolution of the Ottoman Empire in the 1920's. He was almost certainly cognizant of the violence which would ensue aboard the Marmara in 2010, nor, since that time, does his zeal on behalf of the militant Islamists in Gaza appear to have in any way lessened.

There are spiritual factors in the enmity which has arisen. Recovery of what has been lost will certainly involve spiritual battle on behalf of God's purposes for both countries. 

In the end, it was good to see President Obama's courtesy to our Prime Minister and to hear his words of encouragement, support and admiration on behalf of Israel. He called his visit "an opportunity to reaffirm the unbreakable bonds between our nations." He proclaimed to Israel that "You are not alone!" as he reaffirmed America's commitment to preventing Iran from acquiring a nuclear weapon, and said that the United States would not tolerate the use of chemical weapons by the Syrian government.

We believe him to be sincere in his desire for hope and a future for Israelis and for Palestinians. He is the leader and spokesperson for a great nation which we deeply admire and whose friendship is a mighty strength to us. So how do we sort out the good from the bad? that for which to give thanks from that which must fall to the floor? that which we know to be in error and which must be taken before our Lord for His counsel?

SPIRIT AND WIND, DUST AND DARKNESS, CLARITY AND LIGHT 

"As for mortal man, his days are like grass; as a flower of the field, so he flourishes. For the wind passes over it, and it is gone, and its place remembers it no more. But the lovingkindness of the LORD is from everlasting to everlasting on those who fear Him and His righteousness to children's children." (Psalm 103: 15-17). 
"It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in man. It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in princes" (Psalm 118:8-9).

Something very strange attended President Obama's last afternoon in Israel. He was supposed to fly by helicopter to Bethlehem to view the traditional birthplace of Jesus with the Palestinian leader Abbas, followed by a flight back, and then to the airport for a lavish departure ceremony. But late in the morning a high wind began sweeping through Israel, a wind filled with dust. 

Such dust-storms come often in the Middle East, especially around the changing of the seasons. Called hamsin, such a wind may bring in huge volumes of dust from deserts far away in Africa. They generally arrive and sit for two days or so-then move on.

This one roared into Jerusalem just before the President's scheduled trip to Bethlehem. In less than thirty minutes the Mount of Olives, less than ¼ mile distance from the writer's balcony, was indiscernible. We've since spoken with a friend in other part of Jerusalem who had difficulty seeing their hand in front of his face! 

It was decided that the helicopter flight would be too dangerous in such conditions, so the President went by motorcade, throwing off the schedule. The dust intensified so the large closing ceremony had to be cancelled, replaced by a short one near the airplane.

Then the President was gone and within the hour the dust simply blew away!

This writer has lived in Israel for more than 17 years, and never seen a hamsin come, sit, then blow away in the space of three hours. Saturday the skies which should have been red were blue and filled with clouds.

In Hebrew, the word for "wind" and that for "spirit" are the same, ruach. Sometimes wind can signify a "winnowing" of that which is good from chaff. Sometimes it signifies spiritual warfare and angelic activity Psalm 35:5-in fact, Psalm 104.4 pointedly says that "He makes His angels winds".

We do not know all the significance of that strange storm, but we know its appearance at such a time to have been no mere happenstance. 

PLEASE PRAY:

*That the Spirit of God, Holy Wind of Truth will "clear the air" driving away confusion or deception which may have sought occasion through the President's recent visit.

*That what was good and true in the President's warm and friendly manner towards Israel and our Prime Minister would remain and be strengthened.

*That President Obama will attend to the voice of the Holy Spirit in seeking divine counsel regarding his decisions related to Israel.

*That the relation between Israel and the United States will be blessed and strengthened.

*That Prime Minister Netanyahu, exhausted after six weeks of attempting to form a coalition, and then an unbelievably intense and draining week entertaining the American President, will be restored and granted a renewed spirit to move forward in leading his new government. Pray that he will personally seek the sustaining strength of God.

*That the tiny but growing presence of Believers in Turkey will be encouraged and begin strongly to multiply. That the growing houses of prayer there will experience the power and revelation of the Holy Spirit!

*That friendship between Turkey and Israel will be restored. That Prime Minister Erdogen will have an encounter with the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob-who is the God over all the Earth. That he will desist from dragging his country into a position of being under a curse for cursing Israel.

Defense Dragging Their Feet in Jack Tytell's Sentencing

Messianic ministers David and Leah Ortiz write about the sentencing court date last week of Jack Teitel, a religious Jewish terrorist who planted a bomb disguised as a Purim basket at their doorstep in hopes of murdering the family.  Their 15-year old son Ami almost lost his life in 2008 when he opened the gift basket and it exploded in his hands.  Finally in 2013, Jack Teitel has been convicted, but as David and Leah report, Teitel's attorneys continue to delay sentencing and hope to get him off by claiming his murderous acts were caused by mental instability.

On February 13, 2013 we were in court again to hear the sentencing of Jack Teitel. For the past several years, however, in every court session and without fail, his defense lawyers have stood up and made a motion that is so preposterous it wastes at least 1/2 hour to an hour of valuable court time. In the last hearing in January, they claimed that the session was supposed to be behind closed doors, and that there was a former protocol where the judges had made a decision to that affect. No such decision had been made, and of course the defense couldn't produce the piece of paper to substantiate their claim.  

This time, the defense opened up by saying that a mistake in some facts had been made on the last court record and before sentencing could take place, it had to be corrected. The judges asked why they hadn't taken care of it a month ago, because if there had been a mistake (which they didn't believe was true) there was a process to follow, and they would have to follow that process. Of course the defense lawyers knew that, but used this as an excuse to delay the sentencing. I personally believe that they simply don't want to give the prosecution and us, the victims that show up to every hearing, any satisfaction! Whether its pride or evil intent, only The Lord knows.

I wish you all could sit in the court room and behold what we see, how the defense constantly  tries to manipulate the law in order to get a self-confessed, guilty man off the hook of true justice as much as lies in their power to do so. It is frustrating but so obvious how the enemy is using them to try to pervert justice.  Another fact to consider is that they are not defense attorneys assigned by the State of Israel, but privately hired, and we and others from the legal team and the media are wondering who is financing this!  We know from our own experience how expensive lawyers are.

The hearing began at 3:30 PM and it was already at least 5PM when things got down to the nitty gritty and all the technicalities were over, and the prosecution and the defense were able to present their claims for sentencing. The State Prosecutor is Sagi Ophir.  As I have said before, he is a very nice man, who is relatively young and inexperienced (I am guessing he is in his late 30's) and has been no match for the calculated evil of the defense lawyers.  Sometimes he actually trembles when he has to confront them. However, on Wednesday, all of sudden something clicked in this man and he absolutely shone.

 The State Prosecutor prefaced his demands by saying that Teitel, "by his acts of incitement and calls to replace the State of Israel with a totalitarian Jewish monarchy, along with his calls for and encouragement of violence against those who didn't share his views, carried out acts that 'undermine the foundations of a democratic society,' In his acts of murder, attempted murder and violence, Teitel 'scorned the sanctity of life,' Ofir added. Teitel's actions warranted that 'his freedom be taken until the end of his days,' just as he took away the freedom of his victims and tried to take it from others." (quoted from a very good article - State seeks to make example of US-born 'Jewish Terrorist' from the online paper - The Times of Israel. 

Ophir made it clear that the State of Israel considered that Teitel's crimes were motivated by hatred against people whose nationalities, views and ways of life were different than his, which is a point of view that the judges concurred with.  The judges mentioned Messianic Jews in this context several times, with much respect. 

The State then went on to ask for a sentence of two consecutive life sentences.  In addition to the life sentences (which would equal 60 years as a life sentence is 30 years in Israel), the State is asking for 70 additional years for the two attempted murders and the other six convictions, a total number of 130 years in prison.

The prosecutor included the name of (Messianic) Ami Ortiz, who had been critically injured, detailing what his injuries were, and that the maximum sentence for attempted murder was being asked for in his case.  This was admitted into the official protocol of the States' demands. The Prosecutor asked for compensation from Teitel for the victims' families as well. 

The defense then made their rebuttal, asking the court to lessen Teitel's sentence as they claim the crimes were not carried out because his hatred of others, but because of mental illness.

The next hearing, where sentencing will God willing take place, will be on March 17th, 2013 at 12 Noon. We would appreciate your prayers for this to finally happen.


Here is a link to an interesting article about a man, Asher Weisgan, who lived in the same settlement as Jack Teitel, Shvut Rachel.  There are only 100 families living there, and it is more than possible that they were acquainted; they certainly share the same convictions. In 2005 he killed 4 Arabs and wounded two others.  He was convicted of four consecutive life sentences, but committed suicide in prison.
 -end of David & Leah's prayer letter

IsraelWatcher:  It is important for Christian Israel-supporters to realize that some of the Jewish settlement activists are not worthy of the support received from the Christian supporters.

Too many Christians assume that our call to "bless Israel" is equal to an indiscriminate blessing to be bestowed on any Israeli, but this is not true.  We are always stewards responsible for where we are planting seed.  In Israel, it is not that easy to figure out the best places to plant our seed.

Certainly the groups who are most activist in the projects Christians are drawn to mightily - like settlement activists or third temple builders - are often behind the scenes some of the strongest opposition to the Israeli followers of Jesus and their testimony in the Land of Israel.  

It is time the Church became more discerning about these issues.

For a long time, in the United States the terror group Hamas was allowed to raise funds in the name of "charity".  To this day the Islamist network claims the charities are for blessing hungry children in Gaza or the West Bank.  They hide the true agenda of the funds they wish to raise freely in the United States to keep Hamas powerful among the Palestinians on the street.

There is a parallel here to be drawn with Christian giving to the Jewish activist groups in the settlements. The parallel is not as extreme as what Islamist networks do throughout the Western nations, but there is a valid parallel to be made and it is about time we began to get hold of that.  If you want to avoid unknowingly funding activities that God frowns on, then you need to re-direct your funding to Messianic believer ministries who actually do hold to the same biblical ethics as you.

Judea and Samaria are part of the promise of God to the Jews, but He does not sanction an anything goes ethic in trying to hold onto it as many of the settlement activists take part in.  The Temple Mount Faithful don't need to blow up the Dome on the Rock for God to transfer possession to the Jews.  It is high time Christians quit encouraging those Jews who hold the most radical and unbliblical ethics on possessing the Land. 

Religious Jewish Terrorist Jack Teitel Held Accountable

I cannot tell you what a great relief and joy I'm experiencing today (Jan 16, 2013) with the news that Jack Teitel has finally been held accountable for the hate crime he committed against the Messianic Ortiz family. 

Since the bomb exploded in Ami's hands in the Spring of 2008, I've been heavily invested in this story. David and Leah Ortiz were the first believers in Israel that I was in contact with the year I began producing Israelprayer Weekly Summaries (2001). Like the Messianic community of Israel, I also recognized that the person who planted the bomb at the doorstep of the Ortz family must be held accountable for the hate crime or it would most certainly embolden the religious haters of Jews who follow Jesus in Israel. 

Teitel even admitted to police after his arrest that he worked with the most prominent anti-missionary activist group in Israel, Yad L'Achim, which also works with the Interior Ministry to persecute believers with threats about their citizenship. 

Thank God that justice has prevailed in the case because for a long while now it has looked like Teitel was not going to be held accountable for trying to kill the Ortiz family because of Yeshua, and that he might eventually walk on all charges because the system decided to pretend he was mentally ill instead of just a run of the mill self-righteous religious hater. BUT GOD has prevailed in this case, and I am tearfully joyful to see that it has come to the right end.

Here is the email that David and Leah, Ami's parents, issued following the conviction of Jack Teitel:

David and Leah Ortiz in Ariel

We are glad to report that on January 16th, 2013 justice was served and a guilty verdict was handed down in the case of Jack Teitel versus the State of Israel.  Jack Teitel was found guilty on all 10 indictments against him including the attempted murder of Ami Ortiz! This is a great victory, and we are thanking the Lord. It's been almost 5 years since Jack Teitel brought a bomb to our house disguised as a Purim basket which changed Ami's and our lives forever. Since then we have dealt with lawyers, detectives, police and media on an ongoing basis.  The court hearings have been ongoing for 3 years.    The judges rejected the assertion of the defence lawyers who were trying to prove that Teitel was first, not mentally fit to stand trial, and when that failed, not responsible for his actions in the past because of insanity.

Ami in the critical moments after the bomb blast
being tended by a medical professional
who happened to be passing by at the time of the blast

The reason for our joy doesn't stem from any sense of revenge on our part, but because we believe it is the right judgement for Ami and our family, for the Messianic Body and for Israel. The sentencing will take place, God willing, on February 19th.  The first degree murder charges carry with them a mandatory sentence of life in prison in Israel, so we believe he will receive two life sentences, but we also hope that he will receive a sentence for the crime against our son for Ami's sake, I think it will further help him to put it all behind him and give him further closure.  

 I believe the people of this nation are happy when a just decision is handed down by the courts, in this case, it gives a feeling of security and well being knowing that a dangerous and violent man will be off the streets.

For the Messianic Body, we  hope and pray that this decision will be a deterrent to others and those who were involved with Teitel, who are of the same spirit, and will help to prevent  acts of violence and terror against Believers in Yeshua in Israel.

And for Ami and our family, we are first of all relieved and thankful that the right decision was made, and that justice was served.  We are relieved that Teitel will not be able to be used as an instrument of destruction in any one else's life.   There was nothing right about the attempt to prove that Teitel was not responsible for his acts, as he planned everything from beginning to end, coldly calculating every step and action. 

However, for three years the hearings revolved only around Teitel's mental state, and when all those attempts were exhausted, a guilty plea was given, preventing a trial and the witnesses who could have testified and revealed who he worked for, and who helped him plan, prepare for and carry out his crimes.  There has been so much in this case that has been hidden in darkness and obscured.  Only the Lord can now uncover what needs to be brought into the light. The Bible says, "Therefore whatever you have spoken in the dark will be heard in the light, and what you have spoken in the ear in inner rooms will be proclaimed on the housetops." (Luke 12:3)

You can read about the case and Teitel's profile on the Wikipedia - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jack_Teitel  The Wikipedia says he was a lone wolf, according to the police, but this is very much disputed.

 Throughout this process, we were given many opportunities to share our hearts with the nation and even internationally through the media. Excellent articles and reports can be found on our website www.amiortiz.com -you can find links on the home page and on the Media and Press pages. They include a fantastic CBN report by Chris Mitchell and Julie Stahl,  a Hebrew interview which aired on Jan. 17th, and good articles from various newspapers both local and international, including an excellent article from the Israeli paper Israel HaYom, one of the most widely read papers in Israel.  The Hebrew interview on the Israeli Channel 10 reminds Israel once again that there are Messianic Jews who profess Yeshua in the land.

These are links to the websites of the CBN report and the Israel HaYom article - 

David sharing:  With many people trying to defend Teitel and come to his rescue, and with the political element surrounding it, a couple of months ago my lawyer asked me, what would you do if despite our best efforts they would put him in a mental institution where he will be for maybe 5 years, and then he would be deemed mentally fit to be released to society and get away with murder. I told him I would feel like Habakkuk, who, though he didn't understand God and the events of the disaster taking place around him, said,

Hab. 3:17-18

17 Though the fig tree may not blossom,
Nor fruit be on the vines;
Though the labor of the olive may fail,
And the fields yield no food;
Though the flock may be cut off from the fold,
And there be no herd in the stalls-
18 Yet I will rejoice in the Lord,
I will joy in the God of my salvation.

Yeshua said, "let no man take your crown" because when we don't forgive we let
others take it from us.

Our prayer and effort is that this will not happen to someone else, and that the name of Yeshua will continue to be glorified among His people Israel.

Leah:  When we were interviewed by the media after the verdict, they asked if we are happy this is almost over. I said yes, but for Ami it isn't over - having had 14 operations he now stands to undergo a series of laser treatments for the scars that cover his body. This will take place in Florida this summer God willing. But unless the Lord intervenes, he will always have to live with pain in his left hand from nerve damage and ringing in his ears from eardrums that were blown out and then replaced by surgery. Thank God though that he is healthy in his mind, heart and spirit, and that he is getting on with his life, and going to college in the U.S. 

Ami continues to do well in school and to adjust to his new circumstances and surroundings. During Christmas break which was for three weeks, the basketball team only had 5 or six days of vacation and then had to return to school because they had games and practices throughout the vacation time.  For the few days he had off, Ami flew down to Florida to spend time with his 90 year old Grandmother and to visit the plastic surgeon who will do the laser treatments on his scars.  My older brother who lives near my mother volunteered to take Ami to his appointment which was a blessing.  They spent an hour and a half in the office, getting to know the doctor and her staff, being assessed, and asking many questions about the procedure.  Praise the Lord, we have an appointment for the first treatment for May 10th!  The procedure will take 3 or 4 hours and recovery time will be about a week.  The procedure will take place in the office, and Ami will go home immediately afterwards and recover at home. They said it will be like recovering from a sun burn! He will have a second treatment in August, and then the skin will continue to improve over a year's time!  It is an amazing process, and we appreciate your prayer for this.

 One of the greatest things we can do is to say thank you to man and to God and to give honor where honor is due.  We want to thank each and every one of you all again for upholding us with your love and prayer throughout the years because the victory was most definitely a corporate effort.  We want to thank first of all, Ami's brothers and sister for being a great source of strength, support and love to him always, to the Messianic Body in Israel, the Messianic believers in Ariel, the Brooklyn Tabernacle for standing with us shoulder to shoulder from the first minute of the crisis, Pastor Jerry Park, his wife Jessica and their team, Mary Jean Brennan, for Chris Mitchell and Julie Stahl from CBN, Rosh Piña Project, Donna Diorio, Moran Rosenblit and Hope for Israel, the Sorko-Ram's and Maoz, Chaim Goldberg and his team, Adv.Calev Myers and his team, our lawyer Yossi, Pastor Chuck and Liz Kopp, Tom and Kate Hess, Joel Rosenberg and the Joshua Fund, Mike Evans, Bill Murray of the Religious Freedom Coalition, Matthias Van der Weide from  Holland, Voice of the Martyr's, Jay Sekulow, Rabbi Scott Sekulow, Majed el Shafi and the One Free World International Team, Christian Friends of Israel, ICEJ, Becky Pippert and the Kentucky House of Representatives that passed a resolution honoring Ami at the close of their 2008 session , Joanne Lee and Brad Kim from  Korea, Pastor Steve Kaylor from Japan, the Dagen Magazine and all our friends from Scandinavia, Moses Hansen from Denmark, Pastor Ray Bentley from California, Gittlin, Ortiz and Vita families in the U.S., Rev. Carmin Cabrera in Puerto Rico, the Shalom Christian Center and Rev. Fidel in Puerto Rico, Sat 7 Finland,  Lynn and the WLC prayer chain, Israel Today German/English News, our friends and neighbors in Ariel and the Israeli media who have reported on the case with much compassion.  We also want to extend special thanks to the American FBI that stepped into a stalled investigation and caused the arrest of Jack Teitel to move forward. Last but not least we thank every individual in the international Body of Messiah that have faithfully lifted us up in prayer step by step, from almost every country around the world. The list can go on and on. 

Yours in the Messiah,
Leah

You can learn more here www.amiortiz.com

Donna Diorio: Also my 2009 in-depth article, Expose: The Terror Bombing of Israeli Messianic Teen Ami Ortiz, about the case is online in a PDF with lots of photographs here.

"Across Israel – for those who have heard the reports – there is shock and disbelief that the terrorist attack on a 15-year old Jewish boy in Ariel in March 2008 may have been a case of Jewish terrorism.  It is a hard concept for Jews to accept – a horrific act of Jew-on-Jew terrorism. Having been the victims of such acts throughout the annals of history, to believe that Jews could become exactly like their persecuting enemies is almost unthinkable to most Jews. The unthinkable is not softened by the cold insistence from some that the targeted family is “not really Jewish” because of their faith in Yeshua (Jesus). 

Yaakov Teitel, an ultra-Orthodox settler, appeared for the first time in open court December 10th to stand trial for multiple murder and attempted murder charges including the Purim 2008 attack on a Messianic Jewish family which seriously wounded David and Leah Ortiz’ youngest child, Amiel.

The case places several sensitive and controversial issues in public view, from the troubling rise of a new Jewish extremism within the settlements to the appalling state of civil and religious freedom protection for 
Messianic Jews in Israel. It is a case that Israeli authorities might be anxious to see quietly brought to a swift end with the conviction of a deranged “lone wolf” with no greater implications unpacked. 

But that is not the truth of this case, as we have learned from 21 months of following the case via weekly input from the Ortiz family.

This article seeks to shed light on why the police theory that Teitel acted without accomplices cannot be correct. It contains details recorded in the real time of the unfolding of events from March 20, 2008 to the present. If the whole story is  not told, the trial could actually circumvent justice bringing only one perpetrator to account. That would leave his compatriots free to continue their misguided religious mission to exact ‘God’s vengeance’ on those whom they consider detestable enemies.  

Donna Diorio
December 9, 2009
On the day Jack Teitel went on trial for the attempted murder of Ami Ortiz

Are Religious Jews Getting a Pass for their Crimes Against Believers in Israel?

The Ami Ortiz Story
A Messianic Teen who Survived a Direct Terrorist Bomb Blast

Above Ami Ortiz many weeks after the blast in 2008
Below The Walking Miracle of Ami in 2011

From a 2011 entry on the Ami Ortiz Story website: 

“It's been 3 years since the unthinkable. The attempted murder of an innocent 15 year-old Messianic Jewish boy in Ariel, Israel. He and his family are followers of Yeshua (Jesus) the Jewish Messiah. After two and a half years of excruciating recovery and rehabilitation, 14 operations with more plastic surgeries ahead, and spiritual, mental and emotional recovery ….”

 Now in May 2012, Is there a cover up to protect the 'Jewish Terrorist' bomber in progress?

There has been movement in the trial of the murders & attempted murders of Jack Teitel in Israel. But is Teitel going to dodge paying for his crimes with a 'get out jail free' card that has him spending a little time in a mental facility instead? Will the plea bargain that was struck with the prosecution circumvent the truth coming out that Teitel was not a lone wolf but at least in the attempt to murder a Messianic family in Ariel, he was the lead man in a conspiracy to commit murder? Or will the religious zealots be shielded from justice be served?

There seems to be a determined effort to not hold this man responsible for the murders committed in religious far right zeal.   "As first revealed by Ynet – an amended indictment was filed against Teitel where the statement that his acts were committed over his hatred and opposition to groups and individuals whose lifestyle and outlook did not match his beliefs was removed from the indictment."

To say this more bluntly: This clause of the indictment said that Teitel’s crimes were “hate crimes” and that was removed in the plea bargain.  So they took a year deciding if he is mentally fit to stand trial at this time (they found he was) and the next hearing will decide if he was accountable for his actions of the past.   If that sounds crazy, it is, especially in light of the fact that he has confessed to all his crimes and did re-enactments of them.

The failure to take the case of the bombing of Ami Ortiz to trial ALSO OBSCURES the FACTS of the case that Teitel DID NOT ACT ALONE.   Video surveillance tapes of their street - which the Messianic family need for their personal safety - clearly shows Teitel had accomplices and he admitted he worked with Yad L'Achim anti-missionary activists. Of course, not letting these facts come to light with a trial makes getting Teitel off with an insanity defense much easier.

This is a travesty – even if Teitel is convicted of the murder of the two Palestinians, justice is not being served for the 15-year old Messianic boy who opened the Purim gift basket and took full, close exposure to the bomb blast. Teitel is not mentally ill, he is full of unbridled religious hatred. Israel cannot sweep this under the carpet, and for its own sake, it should not allow this injustice to prevail.  It will imperil the lives of other Messianic Jews in Israel is Teitel is not held accountable for the worst of his murderous crimes – that of a terrorist act against a Jewish family based solely on their faith in Yeshua.

Repeated mental competency/psychiatric evaluations and court hearings spread over more than one year have always come back saying Teitel was mentally fit to stand trial.   But the Times of Israel is reporting that "Lawyers for Jewish terrorist will present insanity defense".

The Messianic Ortiz family are consulting with lawyers and before the LORD as to their response to these court developments.

This is not the first case that has failed to protect the lives of Messianic believers in Israel, although it is the most serious act of violence.  When a hostile crowd of religious Jews took over a service for the second time (1998 and 2005) in Beer Sheva, the Messianic community agreed that it was time to draw a line in the sand at violent acts against the Jewish believers in Jesus.  The congregation filed a lawsuit against the organizers of the mob. 
Afterward, in 2008, the bomb attack on the Ortiz family took place. Even so, when the verdict finally came down for the Beer Sheva case in 2010, the ruling did not hold the rabbi and anti-missionary activists accountable and even made the Messianic congregation responsible for the court costs.  Clearly, there is no will to hold the religious Jews responsible for violent acts and religious persecution.

A few days ago on Facebook we shared a link to the story of the release of the far-right rabbi (from the settlements near where Jack Teitel and the Ortiz family lived), who published a book around the same time that Teitel was arrested, giving a rabbinical view that alright to kill Gentiles, even children, in some situations, as a threat to the Jews. This not only meant that it was okay to kill Palestinians, but that it is okay to kill Messianic Jews - including 15 year olds as Teitel almost achieved.  It is a widespread belief among many ultra-Orthodox that the Messianic believers are “more dangerous than Hamas” because they “steal the souls” of Jews and not their lives only as the terrorists do.  Understand how serious the opposition truly is.

Today, comes news that the Israeli Attorney General closes probe into authors of allegedly racist book. “The complainants contend that Weinstein's decision creates a precedent, one never intended by the country's legislative branch - that rabbis can incite in a violent or racist fashion with impunity.” 

The book Torat Hamelech (The King’s Torah), published in 2009, ... states: "When we approach a gentile who has violated the seven laws of Noah and kill him out of devotion to the upholding of these Noahide laws, this is not forbidden."

Another Jewish publication asks, The King’s Torah: a rabbinic text or a call to terror?

The prohibition 'Thou Shalt Not Murder' applies only "to a Jew who kills a Jew," write Rabbis Yitzhak Shapira and Yosef Elitzur of the West Bank settlement of Yitzhar. Non-Jews are "uncompassionate by nature" and attacks on them "curb their evil inclination," while babies and children of Israel's enemies may be killed since "it is clear that they will grow to harm us."

Of course, any Jew who has come to faith in Yeshua is regarded as no longer Jewish. Therefore, the prohibition not to murder a fellow Jew does not apply to any of the 10-15,000 Messianic Jews of Israel.

"Despite the precedent set by previous Israeli attorneys general in the last decade and a half to file criminal charges against settler rabbis who publish commentaries supporting violence against non-Jews, Attorney General Menachem Mazuz has so far remained mum about "The King's Torah."

These are terrible developments for the Israeli justice system and will further embolden acts of violence against the Messianic community.  While religious persecution of this time forces the onlookers in the Israeli society to make personal decisions about right and wrong, we also need to recognize the need for the Body in Israel to have prayer cover for safety.  Just like we pray for loss of life to be limited in the wars and terror attacks on Israel, we also pray for God’s protection of each and every follower of Jesus from attacks by religious adversaries of the gospel.  Persecution may forward the gospel, but every believer’s life is not rendered by that any less precious.

60 Minutes Delivers Shoddy Journalism

60 Minutes Delivers Shoddy Journalism

Christians of the Holy Land report was ridiculously shallow in the facts
By Donna Diorio
Arrows from Zion | Israelprayer
April 22, 2012

Yesterday, 60 Minutes aired a segment on Christian Arabs fleeing the Holy Land where they featured Rev Mitri Reheb and some other Christian Arabs who denied that the reason Christian Arabs fled was because of persecution of Islamists.

HERE'S THE PROBLEM WITH THAT, the ones who stayed have already taken the steps to avoid being lashed out at by their Muslim neighbors. 60 Minutes was asking the wrong people if there is persecution of Christian Arabs by Muslim Arabs. They need to ask the ones who already fled and are now safe, not the ones who are still in the line of fire.

When I started Israelprayer in August of 2001, it wasn't long before we were enlisted by David and Leah Ortiz, Messianic Jews in Ariel, to pray for many Christian Arabs who were in Palestinian Authority jails. Some were being tortured, some even died. When Israel, in the aftermath of 9/11, launched Operation Defensive Shield where the IDF went into Palestinian towns to uproot munitions factories and terror nests city-by-city, they also set free the Christian Arabs who were being held in PA jails.

See my story of my 'chance' meeting with "S" in 2003 in Tel Aviv - the last Christian Arab who was released by the IDF in Operation Defensive Shield from a PA prison where he feared for his life. In this blog entry I tell the story of praying for the Christian Arabs who were imprisoned by the PA in 2001-2002, and how the IDF set them free, and meeting the Palestinian Christian "S" who was the last to be released from Nablus jail.

This is only one the example we know intimately about regarding Palestinian Muslim persecution of Christian Arabs. There have been murders of Christian pastors, beatings, threats. Yet 60 Minutes takes 3 people who are grinning and denying as if it is the lie of the century. Hey, 60 Minutes, we know that is how you WANT to believe in, but those denials don't square with the truth.

During the second Intifada - and one of the reasons cited that Christian Arabs began fleeing the holy land in droves - is the use of their homes as sniper nests where even a Jewish baby was shot in the mother's arms. Palestinian Islamists used Christian Arab homes because they knew it would draw Israeli return fire - two birds killed with one stone.

You can't waltz into Israel and the Palestinian controlled areas, do a few interviews and think you are emerging with the true situation as 60 Minutes did in this interview. You have to have a track record following the events there. 60 Minutes presented a false view in its report last night. A false narrative is not the basis for reconciliation bridges.

*** Today, I am getting emails highlighting the woefully inadequate 60 Minutes report. They are citing the extensive report by Justus Reid Weiner of the Jerusalem Center for Public Affairs, who wrote "Human Rights of Christians in Palestinian Society".

Now I first learned of Justus Reid Weiner's work around 2000-2001 through David and Leah Ortiz, Messianic Jews in Ariel. David was a major source for Weiner's investigation and is cited eight or nine times in the investigation. David took Weiner into places and to sources Weiner would otherwise not have had entrance to.

Ironically, the Jewish terrorist who bombed the Ortiz home near fatally wounding the 15-year old son of David & Leah Ortiz, is in court this month where it is expected that the charges against him for the bombing of Ami Ortiz will be dropped in exchange for a confession of guilt from Jack Teitel in the murder of two Arabs.

David is like Mordechai, in the book of Esther, who revealed a plot against the king and then became the target of a plot against his own life and the life of the Israelis in exile.

You can read the story of The Terror Bombing of Israeli Messianic Teen Ami Ortiz here.

Israeli Ambassador Michael Oren writes on The Plight of Mideast Christians here.