US-born Jewish terrorist asks for furlough to attend son’s circumcision

Jack Tytell, serving two life sentences, seeks compassionate leave, promises to return to prison after ceremony

Jack Tytell (right), convicted terrorist, is seen at the Jerusalem District Court on January 16, 2013. (Yonatan Sindel/Flash90)
Jack Tytell (right), convicted terrorist, is seen at the Jerusalem District Court on January 16, 2013. (Yonatan Sindel/Flash90)

A US-born Jewish terrorist serving two life sentences for killing Palestinians has asked the Israel Prison Service to leave jail for his son’s bris.

Jack Tytell, a Florida native, has been in an Israeli jail since his arrest in October 2009. He was sentenced in 2013.

The bris circumcision ritual will be held Saturday morning, requiring that Tytell be granted a furlough for the entire Shabbat. His family lives in Shvut Rachel, a West Bank hilltop settlement.

“Thousands of terrorists have been released home in the past few years — I’m merely asking to be present for my son’s brit,” Tytell told his attorney, Azriel Friedenberg of the Honenu organization, according to the Hebrew-media Ynet website. “I’ll go back to prison later. I expect to receive this small bit of compassion at the very least.”

The request submitted Sunday by Friedenberg asked that Tytell “be allowed to take an irregular vacation for the bris ceremony considering the exceedingly special circumstances” and said he would “consent to every condition” mandated by the prison service.

Tytell attended the bris of a son born two years ago that took place on a weekday within the prison facilities.

Along with killing two Palestinians and attempting to murder five Jews and Arabs, Tytell also assembled a package bomb that seriously injured the son of a messianic Jew in Ariel, and set up a pipe bomb near the home of prominent left-wing professor, Zeev Sternhell.

The crimes occurred between 1997 and 2008, some while Tytell was in Israel as a tourist. He made aliyah in 2000.

Tytell admitted to all the crimes, but said he did not recognize the court’s authority.

Most Popular
read more:
If you’d like to comment, join
The Times of Israel Community.
Join The Times of Israel Community
Commenting is available for paying members of The Times of Israel Community only. Please join our Community to comment and enjoy other Community benefits.
Please use the following structure: example@domain.com
Confirm Mail
Thank you! Now check your email
You are now a member of The Times of Israel Community! We sent you an email with a login link to . Once you're set up, you can start enjoying Community benefits and commenting.