Showing posts with label Shmu'el (Jeff) Seath. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Shmu'el (Jeff) Seath. Show all posts
Jeff Seath Interview with Tamar Yonah
An important interview. In the coming days I hope to have it stored on the internet with access through this site.
Jeff Seath Update
By Dina M.
Unfortunately I and the rest of the people accompanying me to Jeff's
hearing in Haifa today (including Daniel Pinner), didn't quite make
it to the courthouse in the long drive from Jerusalem to Haifa, due
to a late start and multiple traffic jams on the way.
However, two of our friends, member Gilma Ramirez and her friend
Dan, drove to Haifa from elsewhere in the North and did manage to
attend the hearing (Y'shar Koach to them!), and from them and from
Jeff's lawyer, Baruch Ben-Yosef, I learned that a decision in Jeff's
case has not yet been made.
Baruch is trying to get the prosecution to drop a paragraph in the
indictment against Jeff stating that Jeff brought in his gun in
order to kill Arabs, which is what the prosecution has been trying
to prove since Jeff was arrested in June. If the prosecution agrees
to drop their claim on Jeff's motivation for bringing in the gun,
the court can proceed directly to sentencing. In the event they
don't agree, the case will then go to an evidentiary hearing, to
take place on Sept. 25 (it is as yet unclear whether this will be a
hearing just for the lawyers or for the public, too - more details
will be forthcoming).
In the meantime, Jeff sits in jail and is currently incommunicado
until they return him to Shikma Prison in Ashkelon.
(Just a reminder that if you haven't yet heard Jeff's call-in to
Tamar Yonah's show on Arutz 7, you only have a couple of days left
to listen before the show is removed from the site!)
As soon as I hear from Jeff, I will post again.
Kol Tuv and Shabbat Shalom,
Dina
Unfortunately I and the rest of the people accompanying me to Jeff's
hearing in Haifa today (including Daniel Pinner), didn't quite make
it to the courthouse in the long drive from Jerusalem to Haifa, due
to a late start and multiple traffic jams on the way.
However, two of our friends, member Gilma Ramirez and her friend
Dan, drove to Haifa from elsewhere in the North and did manage to
attend the hearing (Y'shar Koach to them!), and from them and from
Jeff's lawyer, Baruch Ben-Yosef, I learned that a decision in Jeff's
case has not yet been made.
Baruch is trying to get the prosecution to drop a paragraph in the
indictment against Jeff stating that Jeff brought in his gun in
order to kill Arabs, which is what the prosecution has been trying
to prove since Jeff was arrested in June. If the prosecution agrees
to drop their claim on Jeff's motivation for bringing in the gun,
the court can proceed directly to sentencing. In the event they
don't agree, the case will then go to an evidentiary hearing, to
take place on Sept. 25 (it is as yet unclear whether this will be a
hearing just for the lawyers or for the public, too - more details
will be forthcoming).
In the meantime, Jeff sits in jail and is currently incommunicado
until they return him to Shikma Prison in Ashkelon.
(Just a reminder that if you haven't yet heard Jeff's call-in to
Tamar Yonah's show on Arutz 7, you only have a couple of days left
to listen before the show is removed from the site!)
As soon as I hear from Jeff, I will post again.
Kol Tuv and Shabbat Shalom,
Dina
Serendipity
About an hour ago as I was listening to the recording of yesterday's Weekend Edition program of Israel National News, on which Jeff Seath calls in to speak with Tamar Yona, I got a phone call. I asked him to hold because I was trying to hear Jeff repeat his email address for listeners on the radio show. When I got back on the phone, the man on the other end told me he is Jeff Seath!!! I said, "Wow! I was just sending you email! That's why I put you on hold!"
Anyhow, he called back and gave me the "whole story," which will be updated and blogged here tomorrow night G-d Willing.
Jeff needs to see your faces on Thursday at Haifa's 8th district courthouse. But more importantly, the judge needs to see them. Our lawbreakers - I mean lawmakers - need to see that Israel's citizens expect democracy in deed not just in name.
By the way, the trial was originally scheduled to take place in a different courthouse in Haifa which is now being repaired due to Katushya fire.
Anyhow, he called back and gave me the "whole story," which will be updated and blogged here tomorrow night G-d Willing.
Jeff needs to see your faces on Thursday at Haifa's 8th district courthouse. But more importantly, the judge needs to see them. Our lawbreakers - I mean lawmakers - need to see that Israel's citizens expect democracy in deed not just in name.
By the way, the trial was originally scheduled to take place in a different courthouse in Haifa which is now being repaired due to Katushya fire.
Jeff Seath Update - August 21
From Dina Moskowitz:
Jeffrey Seath/Shmuel Zatam, a recent oleh hadash (new immigrant)from North Carolina to K'far Tapuach in Samaria, has been sitting in prison for almost 3 months (so far) for stowing a rifle and other suspicious items in his lift, which he had intended to donate to the Israeli Defense Forces [IDF]. A lawyer has recently been hired to defend him and his trial will be starting next month.
Jeff, a Ger Tzedeq (convert - His father is a Jewish, Holocaust survivor, and his mother a Cherokee Indian.) who came from a background of "hill, still and Klan country," is a member of Jews for Judaism and has left his family and friends and financial assets in North Carolina to live with and defend his people in Eretz Israel. In my almost daily phone conversations with him, I've been learning some fascinating details about his family and background that, hopefully, one day Jeff will publish in his autobiography.
Regardless of your personal opinion regarding whether his actions were just plain stupid or othewise, Jeff is alone and new in the country and needs to know that people are on his side. So I again appeal to your generous hearts and souls to participate in the mitzvah of "pidyon shevuyim" (redemption of captives) by helping Jeff in the following ways:
1. Donate money towards his legal expenses, which will be considerable. Write out your generous check (both sheqqels and foreign currency are OK) (make the check out to "Mishalot Yisrael") and send it IMMEDIATELY to:
Mishalot Yisrael
P.O. Box 6592
Jerusalem, Israel
("Mishalot Yisrael [Israel's Requests]" is a registered amutah - non profit organization). Please be sure to mark somewhere on the check or in a separate note that it's for Jeff's lawyer/legal fees.
2. Shekels (only) may also be deposited in his jail canteen account, account #1230524, at any Post Office Bank all over Israel (he told me this morning that his funds in the account are getting low). This will allow him to purchase necessities in the canteen.
3. Write positive, warm and encouraging letters to Jeff (in English only), send to:
Shmuel Zatam
#1230524
Kele Shiqmav
Ezor Ta'asiya (industrial zone)
P.O. Box 17
Ashqelon, Israel
4. If you're in Israel, visit Jeff in Shiqmah Prison in Ashqelon (see my previous posts about the requirements). Visiting hours are still between 9:00am -1:00pm on Mondays only, and must be coordinated with ME in advance. He needs visitors to bring phone cards most of all, but let me know of other items he needs, too.
5. Jeff's hearing is scheduled for Sept. 7 in Haifa. Jeff told me this morning that he would love to see many friendly faces in the courtroom, so please reserve this date to come and support Jeff. Details re time and place will be in a future post.
6. If you would like Jeff to call you (he cannot be called), please e-mail me your LAND phone number (cell numbers cost his phone cards too many units) and I'll give them to Jeff when he calls.
Y'shar Koach in advance,
Dina
Jeffrey Seath/Shmuel Zatam, a recent oleh hadash (new immigrant)from North Carolina to K'far Tapuach in Samaria, has been sitting in prison for almost 3 months (so far) for stowing a rifle and other suspicious items in his lift, which he had intended to donate to the Israeli Defense Forces [IDF]. A lawyer has recently been hired to defend him and his trial will be starting next month.
Jeff, a Ger Tzedeq (convert - His father is a Jewish, Holocaust survivor, and his mother a Cherokee Indian.) who came from a background of "hill, still and Klan country," is a member of Jews for Judaism and has left his family and friends and financial assets in North Carolina to live with and defend his people in Eretz Israel. In my almost daily phone conversations with him, I've been learning some fascinating details about his family and background that, hopefully, one day Jeff will publish in his autobiography.
Regardless of your personal opinion regarding whether his actions were just plain stupid or othewise, Jeff is alone and new in the country and needs to know that people are on his side. So I again appeal to your generous hearts and souls to participate in the mitzvah of "pidyon shevuyim" (redemption of captives) by helping Jeff in the following ways:
1. Donate money towards his legal expenses, which will be considerable. Write out your generous check (both sheqqels and foreign currency are OK) (make the check out to "Mishalot Yisrael") and send it IMMEDIATELY to:
Mishalot Yisrael
P.O. Box 6592
Jerusalem, Israel
("Mishalot Yisrael [Israel's Requests]" is a registered amutah - non profit organization). Please be sure to mark somewhere on the check or in a separate note that it's for Jeff's lawyer/legal fees.
2. Shekels (only) may also be deposited in his jail canteen account, account #1230524, at any Post Office Bank all over Israel (he told me this morning that his funds in the account are getting low). This will allow him to purchase necessities in the canteen.
3. Write positive, warm and encouraging letters to Jeff (in English only), send to:
Shmuel Zatam
#1230524
Kele Shiqmav
Ezor Ta'asiya (industrial zone)
P.O. Box 17
Ashqelon, Israel
4. If you're in Israel, visit Jeff in Shiqmah Prison in Ashqelon (see my previous posts about the requirements). Visiting hours are still between 9:00am -1:00pm on Mondays only, and must be coordinated with ME in advance. He needs visitors to bring phone cards most of all, but let me know of other items he needs, too.
5. Jeff's hearing is scheduled for Sept. 7 in Haifa. Jeff told me this morning that he would love to see many friendly faces in the courtroom, so please reserve this date to come and support Jeff. Details re time and place will be in a future post.
6. If you would like Jeff to call you (he cannot be called), please e-mail me your LAND phone number (cell numbers cost his phone cards too many units) and I'll give them to Jeff when he calls.
Y'shar Koach in advance,
Dina
Jeff Seath Update - August 16
Dina Moskowitz reports that Jeff Seath's next court date will be Thursday, September 7 (14 Ellul) in Haifa. It was postponed from Tuesday, August 15.In addition, please remember to contact Dina if you would like to visit Jeff at the Shiqmah Prison in Ashqelon.
Details can be found in the Jeff Seath Update below, and include the address where Jeff can receive your letters.
Write to Jeff Seath
Being that Jeff has no family in Israel, he needs chizuk and encouragement from his friends in Israel, and from whoever takes an interest in his case from outside of Israel.
Things get pretty lonely in an Israeli jail for a new immigrant and Ger Tzedek who knows no Hebrew.
You can help keep Jeff's spirits up during this very difficult time for him. Messages of hope, encouragement, chizuk and love can and should be mailed to him, hopefully a whole lot of them.
Let's show Jeff that he is certainly in our thoughts and prayers and that he's not forgotten!
Send your letter (ONLY IN ENGLISH, please) to:
Shmuel Zatam
#1230524
Kele Shikma
Ezor Ta'asiya (industrial zone)
P.O. Box 17
Ashkelon, Israel
We should all have an easy but meaningful fast, and may this be the very last fast that Am Israel has to observe!
L'Shanah Ha Ba'ah B'Yerushalayim!
Jeff Seath Update
Many have asked me about the possibility of visiting Jeff in Shikma Prison in Ashkelon. Here are the guidelines:As things stand now, visitations are allowed ONLY on Mondays (i.e., once a week) from 9 am to 1 pm. No more than THREE adults are allowed to visit on any given Monday, and they MUST arrive at the same time, as the prison authorities don't want to take the prisoner out more than once per visiting day. It is highly recommended to arrive between 10-11 a.m. at the latest, and certainly NO LATER than 12 pm.VISITS MUST BE COORDINATED IN ADVANCE WITH ME (DINA) BY E-MAILING ME AT THIS E-MAIL OR AT MOSKY@013.NET., INCLUDING YOUR PHONE NUMBER AND OTHER CONTACT INFO. DO NOT JUST GO THERE WITHOUT CHECKING WITH ME FIRST!!! (If you know of anyone without e-mail who wants to visit Jeff, please pass on my phone number to them: 02-6250324. This number is for use ONLY by those without e-mail access!)Be sure to bring your teudat zehut, as you won't be admitted without it. Bringing food or other items for Jeff is forbidden, UNLESS Jeff himself requests and receives advance approval from the warden for people to bring him things he can't buy in the jail canteen, which he is allowed to buy from only once every two weeks (Jeff calls me and a few others from time to time to let me know what he needs people to bring him). When arriving at the reception window of the jail, tell them you're visiting "Shmuel Zatam" (his Hebrew name). You will have to leave your teudat zehut with reception until the end of your visit.The rules are very strict. You are not allowed to bring personal items into the visit, such as handbags or other bags, wallets,
\nmoney, keys, cellphones, sun glasses, or even bottles of water. \nThese things should be left in the car before you come in, or with \nthe jail office, to be retrieved after the visit (there are also \nlockers costing 5 NIS, not recommended). I also had to remove my hat \nand pick it up after the visit, probably because it had Gush Katif \ninsignia on it, but this may apply to all hats except those needed \nfor "kisui rosh". I was also not allowed even to give Jeff telephone \nnumbers written on small pieces of paper that I had in my pocket. \nThe only things I was allowed to keep on me during the visit were \ntissues in my pocket, which were also examined before my visit. Be \nprepared also for a mild body search (clothes on!). In addition, it \ncould be a long wait in several waiting rooms before you actually \nget to see Jeff (last week\'s visitors waited 2 hours, but the good \nnews is that you wait inside in fairly comfortable conditions, with \nbenches to sit on and even a small kiosk where you can buy snacks). \n\nThanks to Yocheved, who drove both of us there this week, here are \nthe directions to the jail:\n\nFrom Jerusalem: Take Highway 1 west to Highway 3 south. When Highway \n3 ends at Highway 4, take Highway 4 south to Tzomet Ashkelon, which \nis the second traffic light after you turn left onto Hwy 4. At \nTzomrt Ashkelon, turn right onto Ben Gurion. At the first traffic \nlight (which is the second intersection) turn right onto Hata\'asia. \nContinue straight past the first traffic circle. \n \nThe prison is on your left and is easy to identify because it looks \njust like a prison! You will have to go past the prison and make a U-\nturn to come back to the parking lot. The entrance is the open door, \nnot the gate.\n \nThose coming from the north via Hwy 4, please note that Tzomet \nAshkelon is the more southern entrance to Ashkelon.\n\nFor bus travelers, take the bus to Ashkelon (from J\'lem #437) and ",1]
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money, keys, cellphones, sun glasses, or even bottles of water. These things should be left in the car before you come in, or with the jail office, to be retrieved after the visit (there are also lockers costing 5 NIS, not recommended). I also had to remove my hat and pick it up after the visit, probably because it had Gush Katif insignia on it, but this may apply to all hats except those needed for "kisui rosh". I was also not allowed even to give Jeff telephone numbers written on small pieces of paper that I had in my pocket. The only things I was allowed to keep on me during the visit were tissues in my pocket, which were also examined before my visit. Be prepared also for a mild body search (clothes on!). In addition, it could be a long wait in several waiting rooms before you actually get to see Jeff (last week's visitors waited 2 hours, but the good news is that you wait inside in fairly comfortable conditions, with benches to sit on and even a small kiosk where you can buy snacks). Thanks to Yocheved, who drove both of us there this week, here are the directions to the jail:From Jerusalem: Take Highway 1 west to Highway 3 south. When Highway 3 ends at Highway 4, take Highway 4 south to Tzomet Ashkelon, which is the second traffic light after you turn left onto Hwy 4. At Tzomrt Ashkelon, turn right onto Ben Gurion. At the first traffic light (which is the second intersection) turn right onto Hata'asia. Continue straight past the first traffic circle. The prison is on your left and is easy to identify because it looks just like a prison! You will have to go past the prison and make a U-turn to come back to the parking lot. The entrance is the open door, not the gate.Those coming from the north via Hwy 4, please note that Tzomet Ashkelon is the more southern entrance to Ashkelon.For bus travelers, take the bus to Ashkelon (from J'lem #437) and
\nask at the Ashkelon central bus station re how to get to Shikma \nPrison.\n\nREMEMBER, TO AVOID ANY DISAPPOINTMENT, PLEASE REMEMBER TO CONTACT ME \nAS MUCH IN ADVANCE AS POSSIBLE RE COORDINATING YOUR VISIT TO JEFF!\n\nIn the event of changes in the above, I\'ll post again.\n\nKol Tuv,\nDina\n\n\n \n\n \n __._,_.___\n \n \n \n \n Messages in this topic (1)\n \n \n \n Reply (via web post)\n \n \n Start a new topic \n \n \n \n \n Messages \n ",1]
);
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ask at the Ashkelon central bus station re how to get to Shikma Prison.REMEMBER, TO AVOID ANY DISAPPOINTMENT, PLEASE REMEMBER TO CONTACT ME AS MUCH IN ADVANCE AS POSSIBLE RE COORDINATING YOUR VISIT TO JEFF!In the event of changes in the above, I'll post again.
\nmoney, keys, cellphones, sun glasses, or even bottles of water. \nThese things should be left in the car before you come in, or with \nthe jail office, to be retrieved after the visit (there are also \nlockers costing 5 NIS, not recommended). I also had to remove my hat \nand pick it up after the visit, probably because it had Gush Katif \ninsignia on it, but this may apply to all hats except those needed \nfor "kisui rosh". I was also not allowed even to give Jeff telephone \nnumbers written on small pieces of paper that I had in my pocket. \nThe only things I was allowed to keep on me during the visit were \ntissues in my pocket, which were also examined before my visit. Be \nprepared also for a mild body search (clothes on!). In addition, it \ncould be a long wait in several waiting rooms before you actually \nget to see Jeff (last week\'s visitors waited 2 hours, but the good \nnews is that you wait inside in fairly comfortable conditions, with \nbenches to sit on and even a small kiosk where you can buy snacks). \n\nThanks to Yocheved, who drove both of us there this week, here are \nthe directions to the jail:\n\nFrom Jerusalem: Take Highway 1 west to Highway 3 south. When Highway \n3 ends at Highway 4, take Highway 4 south to Tzomet Ashkelon, which \nis the second traffic light after you turn left onto Hwy 4. At \nTzomrt Ashkelon, turn right onto Ben Gurion. At the first traffic \nlight (which is the second intersection) turn right onto Hata\'asia. \nContinue straight past the first traffic circle. \n \nThe prison is on your left and is easy to identify because it looks \njust like a prison! You will have to go past the prison and make a U-\nturn to come back to the parking lot. The entrance is the open door, \nnot the gate.\n \nThose coming from the north via Hwy 4, please note that Tzomet \nAshkelon is the more southern entrance to Ashkelon.\n\nFor bus travelers, take the bus to Ashkelon (from J\'lem #437) and ",1]
);
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money, keys, cellphones, sun glasses, or even bottles of water. These things should be left in the car before you come in, or with the jail office, to be retrieved after the visit (there are also lockers costing 5 NIS, not recommended). I also had to remove my hat and pick it up after the visit, probably because it had Gush Katif insignia on it, but this may apply to all hats except those needed for "kisui rosh". I was also not allowed even to give Jeff telephone numbers written on small pieces of paper that I had in my pocket. The only things I was allowed to keep on me during the visit were tissues in my pocket, which were also examined before my visit. Be prepared also for a mild body search (clothes on!). In addition, it could be a long wait in several waiting rooms before you actually get to see Jeff (last week's visitors waited 2 hours, but the good news is that you wait inside in fairly comfortable conditions, with benches to sit on and even a small kiosk where you can buy snacks). Thanks to Yocheved, who drove both of us there this week, here are the directions to the jail:From Jerusalem: Take Highway 1 west to Highway 3 south. When Highway 3 ends at Highway 4, take Highway 4 south to Tzomet Ashkelon, which is the second traffic light after you turn left onto Hwy 4. At Tzomrt Ashkelon, turn right onto Ben Gurion. At the first traffic light (which is the second intersection) turn right onto Hata'asia. Continue straight past the first traffic circle. The prison is on your left and is easy to identify because it looks just like a prison! You will have to go past the prison and make a U-turn to come back to the parking lot. The entrance is the open door, not the gate.Those coming from the north via Hwy 4, please note that Tzomet Ashkelon is the more southern entrance to Ashkelon.For bus travelers, take the bus to Ashkelon (from J'lem #437) and
\nask at the Ashkelon central bus station re how to get to Shikma \nPrison.\n\nREMEMBER, TO AVOID ANY DISAPPOINTMENT, PLEASE REMEMBER TO CONTACT ME \nAS MUCH IN ADVANCE AS POSSIBLE RE COORDINATING YOUR VISIT TO JEFF!\n\nIn the event of changes in the above, I\'ll post again.\n\nKol Tuv,\nDina\n\n\n \n\n \n __._,_.___\n \n \n \n \n Messages in this topic (1)\n \n \n \n Reply (via web post)\n \n \n Start a new topic \n \n \n \n \n Messages \n ",1]
);
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ask at the Ashkelon central bus station re how to get to Shikma Prison.REMEMBER, TO AVOID ANY DISAPPOINTMENT, PLEASE REMEMBER TO CONTACT ME AS MUCH IN ADVANCE AS POSSIBLE RE COORDINATING YOUR VISIT TO JEFF!In the event of changes in the above, I'll post again.
Jeff Seath Update
Shalom and Shavua Tov to all,Thanks to Yocheved Belogorodsky for the following update on Jeff Seath:Jeff has been transferred from Kishon Prison in Haifa, to Shikma Prison in Ashkelon. Visiting days, hours and number of people authorized to visit him are currently being worked out, with the hope of expanding them. Since Jeff has no family in Israel, so far Yocheved is the only one who has permission to visit him at Shikma, and she's planning to do so tomorrow (Monday).Jeff is in great need of things he can't buy from the jail canteen, especially phone cards, but also including pans to heat food in, a fan, summer shirts, and the like. Especially for those of you in Tapuach, if you could go to Yocheved TODAY and contribute something to her so that she can buy these things for him before she visits him tomorrow, it would be much appreciated (keep in mind that the cost of gas from Tapuach to Ashkelon will be very high). Yocheved will appreciate any and all contributions towards Jeff's needs.I'll post to the group again when I have more information.Kol Tuv,Dina
Oleh arrested for importing hunting rifle faces harsh appeal process
At Tuesday July 18's hearing in Jerusalem's Supreme Court, Jeff's lawyer Naftali Werzberger was the first to speak, citing the fact that there is no proof to the allegation that Jeff packed a hunting rifle in his lift with theintention of carrying out attacks against Arabs.
Werzberger made adistinction between illegal possession of a weapon (which is an offense) and the intent of such possession, which in Jeff's case was never proven. It was pointed out that Jeff had bought the rifle inthe U.S. for the express purpose of hunting, not as a weapon.
Werzberger also pointed out that the whole question of whether Jeffconstitutes a "risk" (if he's released on bail/on house arrest) was never solved. (Later we found out that Jeff passed a lie-detector test, but the results were inadmissible in court.)
In addition, Jeff has no criminal record from the States. After pointing out that Jeffis involved in a conversion program at Machon Meir Yeshiva,Werzberger petitioned the court for an alternative to imprisonment, specifically house arrest under the supervision of a veteran immigrant from the U.S. also studying at Machon Meir, who attended the appeal today, but for reasons unknown was not called to testify.
The prosecution pointed out that "Kahane" material was found on Jeff's computer during the investigation, which in their view makes him dangerous!
Judge Cheshin pointed out that every country has its own rules about bringing in weapons, and in essence, anyone bringing them in could be considered "suspect".
At the conclusion of the proceedings, the Judge said he would mail the lawyers his decision within a few weeks.
Jeff, for his part, looks healthy, but of course, confused.
I managedto tell him (in a loud whisper from where I was sitting) that we're all praying for him and support him. He looked touched and gratefully thanked me. At the end, as he was being led out, he looked even more confused, not understanding a word of the proceedings or the outcomeof the hearing, all of which were of course conducted in Hebrew.
For me personally, it was heartbreaking to see the expression on his face as he was being led out.
I have to also point out that it was also more than a little disappointing to see so few people show up for Jeff during the hearing, especially since Jeff has no family in Israel and could have benefitted from seeing lots of friendly and sympathetic faces in thecourtroom. Of course, a couple of people showed up outside the courtroom after it was all over, and one person was on the way but just didn't make it on time.
So as of this writing, then, Jeff is waiting for the Judge's decision, languishing in solitary confinement in Haifa's Kishon Jail.
I will be trying to verify visiting days and hours at the jail incoming days, and especially what Jeff needs. I'll post again to this group when I have more information.
Kol Tuv,Dina
Werzberger made adistinction between illegal possession of a weapon (which is an offense) and the intent of such possession, which in Jeff's case was never proven. It was pointed out that Jeff had bought the rifle inthe U.S. for the express purpose of hunting, not as a weapon.
Werzberger also pointed out that the whole question of whether Jeffconstitutes a "risk" (if he's released on bail/on house arrest) was never solved. (Later we found out that Jeff passed a lie-detector test, but the results were inadmissible in court.)
In addition, Jeff has no criminal record from the States. After pointing out that Jeffis involved in a conversion program at Machon Meir Yeshiva,Werzberger petitioned the court for an alternative to imprisonment, specifically house arrest under the supervision of a veteran immigrant from the U.S. also studying at Machon Meir, who attended the appeal today, but for reasons unknown was not called to testify.
The prosecution pointed out that "Kahane" material was found on Jeff's computer during the investigation, which in their view makes him dangerous!
Judge Cheshin pointed out that every country has its own rules about bringing in weapons, and in essence, anyone bringing them in could be considered "suspect".
At the conclusion of the proceedings, the Judge said he would mail the lawyers his decision within a few weeks.
Jeff, for his part, looks healthy, but of course, confused.
I managedto tell him (in a loud whisper from where I was sitting) that we're all praying for him and support him. He looked touched and gratefully thanked me. At the end, as he was being led out, he looked even more confused, not understanding a word of the proceedings or the outcomeof the hearing, all of which were of course conducted in Hebrew.
For me personally, it was heartbreaking to see the expression on his face as he was being led out.
I have to also point out that it was also more than a little disappointing to see so few people show up for Jeff during the hearing, especially since Jeff has no family in Israel and could have benefitted from seeing lots of friendly and sympathetic faces in thecourtroom. Of course, a couple of people showed up outside the courtroom after it was all over, and one person was on the way but just didn't make it on time.
So as of this writing, then, Jeff is waiting for the Judge's decision, languishing in solitary confinement in Haifa's Kishon Jail.
I will be trying to verify visiting days and hours at the jail incoming days, and especially what Jeff needs. I'll post again to this group when I have more information.
Kol Tuv,Dina
S'derot Municipality Planning Citywide Strike
S'derot Municipality Planning Citywide Strike 18:45 Feb 07, '06 / 9 Shevat 5766
(IsraelNN.com) The municipality of S'derot, in the Negev, is planning a citywide strike over what city hall is calling the national government's failure to protect the city and regional towns from Palestinian Authority rocket attacks...
(IsraelNN.com) The municipality of S'derot, in the Negev, is planning a citywide strike over what city hall is calling the national government's failure to protect the city and regional towns from Palestinian Authority rocket attacks...
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