A Jewish man who has been convicted of murdering two Palestinians and committing several terror attacks has gone on a hunger strike in a bid for his freedom.
Jack Teitel, who is currently serving two life sentences for the murders, has been on a hunger strike since Wednesday to demand his release from jail. He is also serving an additional 30 years for several terror attacks.
In one of the attacks, he reportedly targeted the home of Messianic Pastor David Ortiz. Teitel carried out the attack in 2008 on Purim, when Israelis typically exchange gift baskets that usually contain candy and fruit.
One such basket was found on the front door of Ortiz's home and was brought inside by one of the housekeepers. When Ortiz's son, Ami, opened the basket, a bomb exploded in his arms, causing extensive injuries.
Security footage identified the man who left the package as Teitel, who was seen in the clip escaping down the staircase.
According to CBN News, he was arrested in 2009 and later convicted of murdering a taxi driver and a shepherd.
Teitel had reportedly confessed to several terror attacks, including the one that targeted the Ortiz home.
During the legal proceedings, Teitel insisted that the court had no power over him, while his lawyers had claimed that he is mentally unfit to stand trial.
He received two life sentences for the murder to two Palestinians in 2013, and reportedly stated prior to his sentencing that he did not regret his actions.
The judge also ordered him to pay the victims families NIS 180,000 (roughly $50,000) each as compensation. Additionally, he was ordered to pay NIS 150,000 (roughly $41,000) in damages to two people that he attempted to murder.
Teitel, who was originally from Florida, reportedly committed the murders while visiting Israel as a tourist. He carried out the first murder in 1997, with a taxi driver named Samir Akram Balbisi as his first victim. Three months later, Teitel claimed the life of his second victim in the village of Susya. The shepherd, identified as Issa Jabarin, was reportedly shot in the chest from short range.
The Ortiz family was reportedly present during his sentencing. Leah Ortiz, Ami's mother, said at the time that she was pleased that Teitel would be jailed for a long time.
"We are very happy that Teitel received many years behind bars. He said he is proud of what he did and would do it again; he is a dangerous man, full of hate – jail is where he belongs," she stated, according to Ynet News.
However, the family's lawyer expressed frustration that the court has refused to recognize the Ortiz family as one of Teitel's victims.
"We are left with the pain and wounds. They boy is 20 years old and will require medical treatment for the rest of his life. Despite the fact that the background of the attack is identical to that of the deaths of the Palestinians, as the court itself claimed, the State refuses to grant us assistance," said Ortiz's lawyer, Yossi Greiber.
