How Israel caught the suspected Jewish terrorist
After Yaakov Teitel was arrested in Jerusalem, armed police broke into his home and roused his family.
By Chaim Levinson Tags: Jerusalem Israel news Israel settlers Jewish terroristA sweeping gag order; an armed break-in at the suspect's home; the denial of legal representation to the suspect; and the interrogation of his wife - these are just a few of the measures the Shin Bet took against suspected Jewish terrorist Yaakov Teitel and his family.
Teitel, 36, a resident of the West Bank settlement of Shvut Rachel, was arrested three weeks ago on suspicion of murder and involvement in a string of murder plots. Immediately after his arrest in the ultra-Orthodox Jerusalem neighborhood of Har Nof, a gag order was placed on every detail of the affair - which was violated by a writer and editor at the Walla Web site, who were themselves subsequently brought in for questioning.
The Shin Bet policy of a "heavy hand" was evident in the conditions of Teitel's detention, as well as in the behavior of investigators toward his family. As such, while Teitel was still being transported to an interrogation cell on October 8, the morning after his arrest, the security service's agents raided four separate apartments that the suspect had visited while he had been under surveillance.
At the same time, a separate Shin Bet squad positioned itself in front of the American-born suspect's home in Shvut Rachel. Police broke down the door, burst inside with handguns drawn and, according to relatives, roused the family's four children, who were sleeping at the time.
Furthermore, additional Shin Bet squads searched other homes in the settlement, including that of Moshe Avitan, Teitel's brother-in-law.
"[Shin Bet] intelligence was terrible and they didn't know that I am blind," Avitan told Haaretz on Sunday. "I am 100 percent disabled; they could have come to search my place in an orderly manner."
According to eyewitness testimonies, police used tracker dogs during a raid of apartments belonging to Teitel's parents and mother-in-law.
But by far the most drastic measure taken against the suspect - highly unusual when the detainee is Jewish - was the denial of his right to consult with a lawyer for more than two weeks.
The Shin Bet even enlisted Attorney General Menachem Mazuz into its investigative efforts, Haaretz has learned, when the security service sought to extend the suspect's remand without granting him legal consul. Only Mazuz was able to approve this move, according to the law, after ten days during which such consul has been denied.
The Shin Bet was particularly uncompromising in the security steps it took on the few occasions when Teitel was brought to the Petah Tikva District Court for a remand extension. Even though the courthouse had been searched by the security service's agents, cracks in the glass of the doors were completely blocked up; the vehicle in which Teitel was brought to court had shaded windows, and was accompanied by a convoy of undercover guards; and police detectives stood at the entrance to the courtroom to prevent curious onlookers from approaching.
Nonetheless, the move that was most heavily criticized by figures in the rightist camp was the arrest of Teitel's wife, Rivka, for questioning. While she was en route to a remand extension hearing for her husband, Shin Bet agents pulled her over. She was traveling with her baby daughter and a pair of friends at the time, with whom, relatives say, the agents told her to leave the child. They reportedly told Rivka Teitel to get into another car that would take her away for interrogation, which lasted for several hours and at the end of which she was released.
"They could have stopped her at home instead of all this drama with the baby in the car," a relative said. "They certainly know where she lives... all of her arrest and subsequent release - points to the fact that this was just a despicable investigative maneuver to pressure Yaakov in his questioning."
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The wife of suspected Jewish terrorist Yaakov Teitel at a court last week. |
| Photo by: (Moti Kimche) |
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If this man did kill 2 Palestinians, why isn't he being called a murderer instead of being labeled a Terrorist. Could it be that if he weren't Religeous, he would have been Just defending himself.
"Why should there be any difference in arresting a Jewish terrorist or a Muslim one?" It shouldn't, neither should it be any difference in the way Israel deals with it's terrorist and the Palestinians deal with theirs. Unfortunately there is. What say you? Some people arrest terrorists, others praise them, glorify them.
"Why should there be any difference in arresting a Jewish terrorist or a Muslim one?" It shouldn't, neither should it be any difference in the way Israel deals with it's terrorist and the Palestinians deal with theirs. Unfortunately there is. What say you? Some people arrest terrorists, others praise them, glorify them.
Release him from prison as a good will gesture for the cause of peace.
You know "innocent until proven guilty" and "human rights even for criminals." I wonder if we'll be hearing any of that from our hypocritical friends on the political Left... Unlikely - I mean, he's a "right-wing religious Jew," and such people don't have rights. If he were an Arab, or a leftist/anarchist, however...
In the past the Israeli government has turned a blind eye to settlers who destroyed Palestinian olive groves and torched Palestinian homes and cars. This is not the way a democracy behaves and it's time that Netanyahu have his "Atalena" moment and decides once and for all that there is not Israeli law as well as Settler law. There must be one law for everyone. Israelis cannot continue to critcize the Arabs for dehumanizing them when they do the same thing to Arabs. Vigilante justice cannot be allowed to prevail in Israel. These settlers should be imprisoned or deported back to America.
Send him to Guantanamo ,the U.S. and the inmates will know how to deal with him ,or simply exchange him for Shalit ,Hamas will love that.
Given the large amount of arms in the home, the Shin Bet was just being appropriate. It's beyond credibility that this alleged terrorist's wife did not know of his activities. Nobody else should die while getting this person into the justice system.
It seems there were no double standards on this occasion. At last you can find equality in the system - if you are being investigated for terrorism. Comforting thought?
Sounds like the Shin Bet are the terrorists or they are watching too many Rambo movies.
These are regular Shin Bet policies to arrest terrorists. Why should there be any difference in arresting a Jewish terrorist or a Muslim one?
I read the article - and don't understand the issue being raised. Criminals, and in particular terrorists, should not expect a lot of please and thank you etiquette when they are caught. I am just glad that they caught him. Talking about whether or not the Shin Bet should have entered his house by knocking, or by breaking down the door and preserving the element of surprise - seems way off the point.
no.1. I lived in Israel for many years. The right wing are the worst in IL and the whole worls sees it ( including many Jews). You spoil it for the other Jews. Good that they caught him. The should take all these settlers into custody ! They are sick people ! By all means.
Tytells biggest crime was threatening the gay community, had he stuck to killing Palestinians as many Israeli's do inside the secrurity services and outside, he could have escaped undetected, Palestinian lives do not count, even if he was caught, the well tried claim of mental instability would have got him free, stupid man!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Why all this kindness? If this suspected terrorist were Palestinian, they would not have received the same treatment. The house would have been bulldozed and the family deported.
extremists from all over the world migrate to the occupied west bank to terrorize the owners (palestinians) of that land under the world's watchful eye. You have got to feel with the pals, if you dont then you dont have a conscience.
Pardon me but what was his crime? It isn't listed here. Why terrorize the child?
It's the USA-style, Israel just do what daddy says...
Held with no legal rights, no representation and no evidence. It seems like he was framed like Baruch Gold. Just in time to demonize Jewish residents and push to give Jewish land to Arab occupiers.
We never saw SO much info when the mafia murders each other. How about a little even-handedness. As usual I'm sure this won't be printed as it is the truth.
If this is correct, no wonder why the Palestinians riot and no wonder why the world condemns Israel for it's Human Rights abuses. I have no sympathy with the alleged crimes of this person who has yet to be proved guilty - but if this is the way Shin Bet treats people, Israel is half a step from becoming a Police state, a la Argentina in the 1970s, where people simply "disappeared"!
If he were a Palestinian under such suspicion, he would be dead now... his family informed as it happened in front of their eyes.
... and I thought such procedures were reserved only for Pal suspects... even those of lesser calibre...
... these are almost routine methods when dealing with Pal suspects, even of lesser calibre... nobody bothers to disturb Mazuz about such procedures...
what is wrong with him?! self defense I believe... what about so many palestinian terorist like Arafat, etc. who were NEVER arrested for doing SO many victims?!