JCC bomb threats suspect ‘motivated solely by disease,’ father says

The father and the attorney of the suspect behind the bomb threats against JCCs in the US say that he suffers from medical problems beyond his control.

The father of the Israeli-American suspect in the wave of bomb threats made against Jewish community centers across the United States earlier this year conveyed his apologies to the American Jewish community on Israel’s Channel 2.

“To all the Jews in the United States, I want to convey an unequivocal message,” he said. “We are very sorry from the bottom of our hearts.”

“We are good Jews. We do not hate you.” he added. “There was no hatred here. He was motivated solely by the disease.”

The suspect’s father, who was originally arrested along with his son on suspicion that he at least knew about the threats, was released last Thursday.

“I was exposed to thousands of very destructive chemicals,” the father told Channel 2. “I underwent three operations to remove tumors, and my son also has a tumor.”

The suspect also suffers from a form of severe autism, the father added.

“The world must understand that this child is different,” he continued.  “He is unique. He is unique in all dimensions that people have seen.”

The suspect’s attorney, Shira Nir, made a similar argument.

“He found himself in a medical situation that brought him to this point,” she said, according to Channel 2. “This was not under his control. The act was not committed out of will or malice.”

Most recently, the Rishon Lezion Magistrates’ Court extended the suspect’s remand to another week. The court has placed a gag order on publicizing the names of the suspect and his father.

By: World Israel News Staff

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