28 feb 2020
Convicted pedophile Jimmy 'Yosef' Karow
Opinion: Among the tax evaders and smugglers who have found a safe haven in the Jewish state is a particularly nasty subset of criminals who for some reason are allowed to live freely without fear of reprisal for their heinous actions in their own countries
Welcome to the Garden of Eden. True, the astronomical cost of living, the never-ending elections, the overcrowded hospitals, the rocket fire in the south doesn’t exactly make it feel like heaven.
Nonetheless, there is a certain subsection of people for whom this is indeed paradise: Israel is a haven for all kinds of criminals who exploit Judaism and the Law of Return to flee justice in their own country.
And among these criminals, between the tax evaders and smugglers, shines a particularly horrifying group of pedophiles.
According to a CBS investigation aired this week, more than 60 sex offenders from Jewish communities in the United States have fled to the Promised Land and are hiding mainly in ultra-Orthodox communities in Rehavia, Jerusalem.
The law enforcement agencies have failed to address the problem, leaving the work to civilian organizations like the Jewish Community Watch (JCW) in the U.S., which tracks down these people in Israel and helps arrest them.
This was the case with Jimmy Karow, a dangerous sex offender who appeared on Interpol's 50 most-wanted list and who hid in Israel for last 20 years having fled there after sexually assaulting a nine-year-old girl in Oregon.
Since his arrival in Israel, where he is known as Yosef, Karow was convicted in another pedophilia case and even jailed but was never punished for the assault in Oregon.
It was only last year, thanks to the JCW, that he has finally been arrested.
Opinion: Among the tax evaders and smugglers who have found a safe haven in the Jewish state is a particularly nasty subset of criminals who for some reason are allowed to live freely without fear of reprisal for their heinous actions in their own countries
Welcome to the Garden of Eden. True, the astronomical cost of living, the never-ending elections, the overcrowded hospitals, the rocket fire in the south doesn’t exactly make it feel like heaven.
Nonetheless, there is a certain subsection of people for whom this is indeed paradise: Israel is a haven for all kinds of criminals who exploit Judaism and the Law of Return to flee justice in their own country.
And among these criminals, between the tax evaders and smugglers, shines a particularly horrifying group of pedophiles.
According to a CBS investigation aired this week, more than 60 sex offenders from Jewish communities in the United States have fled to the Promised Land and are hiding mainly in ultra-Orthodox communities in Rehavia, Jerusalem.
The law enforcement agencies have failed to address the problem, leaving the work to civilian organizations like the Jewish Community Watch (JCW) in the U.S., which tracks down these people in Israel and helps arrest them.
This was the case with Jimmy Karow, a dangerous sex offender who appeared on Interpol's 50 most-wanted list and who hid in Israel for last 20 years having fled there after sexually assaulting a nine-year-old girl in Oregon.
Since his arrival in Israel, where he is known as Yosef, Karow was convicted in another pedophilia case and even jailed but was never punished for the assault in Oregon.
It was only last year, thanks to the JCW, that he has finally been arrested.
Mordechai YomTov
Another offender, Mordechai YomTov, was convicted in the United States on three counts of child abuse and violated his terms of parole in order to flee to Israel under a false identity.
In Israel, he is living a carefree, happy life.
Another offender, Mordechai YomTov, was convicted in the United States on three counts of child abuse and violated his terms of parole in order to flee to Israel under a false identity.
In Israel, he is living a carefree, happy life.
Malka Leifer
And then there is Malka Leifer, who is wanted in Australia for no less than 74 counts of sexual assault and rape involving eight of the girls at the ultra-Orthodox school in Melbourne where she was the principal.
After fleeing to Israel in 2008, Leifer was arrested, but managed to dodge a trial on the grounds of mental incompetence.
Only in February 2018 was she re-arrested on suspicion of pretending to be mentally ill in order to avoid extradition.
Her re-arrest was the result of work by JCW, which documented her leading a normative life despite her claims of mental incapacity.
A short time later, a team of expert psychiatrists determined that the 54-year-old was indeed an impostor and, contrary to her claim, was certainly fit to stand trial.
That should have been the end of it, but Israeli law enforcement agencies seemed to be doing everything in the power to prevent her facing justice.
The fact is that in September 2019, Jerusalem District Court ordered a new panel of experts to determine once again whether Leifer was qualified to stand trial. In January 2020, a new unanimous committee once again determined that Leifer was indeed completely mentally fit to stand trial.
But that wasn't enough: Last week, Leifer's defense attorney received permission to investigate the members of the second committee over their findings.
Who knows, perhaps a third committee of experts will be appointed and they can also determine that Leifer is faking and is actually eligible for prosecution, and then those experts can be grilled on the stand, and then new experts can be appointed and so ad infinitum.
Meanwhile, Australia can keep waiting for her extradition and her victims Dassi Erlich, Ellie Sapper and Nicole Meyer can keep waiting for justice.
And then there is Malka Leifer, who is wanted in Australia for no less than 74 counts of sexual assault and rape involving eight of the girls at the ultra-Orthodox school in Melbourne where she was the principal.
After fleeing to Israel in 2008, Leifer was arrested, but managed to dodge a trial on the grounds of mental incompetence.
Only in February 2018 was she re-arrested on suspicion of pretending to be mentally ill in order to avoid extradition.
Her re-arrest was the result of work by JCW, which documented her leading a normative life despite her claims of mental incapacity.
A short time later, a team of expert psychiatrists determined that the 54-year-old was indeed an impostor and, contrary to her claim, was certainly fit to stand trial.
That should have been the end of it, but Israeli law enforcement agencies seemed to be doing everything in the power to prevent her facing justice.
The fact is that in September 2019, Jerusalem District Court ordered a new panel of experts to determine once again whether Leifer was qualified to stand trial. In January 2020, a new unanimous committee once again determined that Leifer was indeed completely mentally fit to stand trial.
But that wasn't enough: Last week, Leifer's defense attorney received permission to investigate the members of the second committee over their findings.
Who knows, perhaps a third committee of experts will be appointed and they can also determine that Leifer is faking and is actually eligible for prosecution, and then those experts can be grilled on the stand, and then new experts can be appointed and so ad infinitum.
Meanwhile, Australia can keep waiting for her extradition and her victims Dassi Erlich, Ellie Sapper and Nicole Meyer can keep waiting for justice.
Health Minister Yaakov Litzman is under criminal investigation for allegedly helping a pedophile escape justice
Incidentally, Health Minister Yaakov Litzman is the subject of an ongoing criminal investigation over suspicions that he used his position to help Leifer. And while the legal shenanigans continue, she stays put in the wonderland for the wicked in which we live.
This is perhaps a paradise lost to those who live here, but to the worst people in the world, it is a friendly haven from the law, where you can leave your victims in your wake as if they mean nothing.
In such a place, we should all be worried for our children.
Related: Wall of shame
Incidentally, Health Minister Yaakov Litzman is the subject of an ongoing criminal investigation over suspicions that he used his position to help Leifer. And while the legal shenanigans continue, she stays put in the wonderland for the wicked in which we live.
This is perhaps a paradise lost to those who live here, but to the worst people in the world, it is a friendly haven from the law, where you can leave your victims in your wake as if they mean nothing.
In such a place, we should all be worried for our children.
Related: Wall of shame
27 feb 2020
Many Israeli nationals returning from abroad, who were ordered to self-quarantine upon arrival, say they're amazed there was no one at Ben Gurion Airport to either examine them or transport them home to avoid exposure to general public
Israelis who arrived back to the country from Italy on Thursday were surprised to find out there was no medical officials at the airport eager to examine them or transport them home for the mandated two-week quarantine due to spread of coronavirus.
Many are left with no option but to take public transport and risk exposing general public to a virus they might potentially be carrying.
Earlier in the day, the Health Ministry confirmed an Israeli national who had returned from Italy on Sunday tested positive for the coronavirus. Italy is now among the countries severely affected by the health crisis, with 15 confirmed fatalities and over 600 confirmed cases of the COVID-19 virus. On Wednesday the Health Ministry issued a travel warning to the country that now effectively joins a host of Far East state with travel advisory.
"We are shocked no one tested us when we arrived," said Eden, 22, from northern Israel who returned from a trip to Venice with her mother and sister.
"The fact that employees [at Ben Gurion Airport] are not wearing masks is surprising. We walked all around Italy with masks, refrained from any crowded areas and are now heading to quarantine at home."
Ilana Mizel, who returned from Milan and was on her way to Kiryat Haim in northern Israel, called “stupid” the Health Ministry’s directive to self-quarantine.
"I think it's rather stupid to send me to a home quarantine after I stood in a packed terminal, with no one checking me,” she said.
“What if I have to take the train to get home?"
Daniela, 28, an architecture student from the Veneto region in northern Italy, decided to return to Israel because of the virus outbreak in the European country. "The authorities canceled all our classes, so I decided to return home," she said. "Even though it saddens me, I need to stay in quarantine and not meet up with my family for a long time," she added.
"And then they say that we need to be responsible," she said, referring to the oversight at Ben Gurion Airport.
Popular Israeli TV host Guy Pines, who took a flight to Europe on Thursday morning, tried to bring down the level of hysteria surrounding the new virus.
"I'm heading to a destination that isn't considered 'contaminated,' or else I would have not traveled, I keep an eye on these sorts of things. I'm not panicking, and I don't think other people should either," he said.
"I don't even think the masks really work," he added. "I think it's more to feel like something is being done, but that's not what's going to save us from this new virus."
Pines then implied the media is responsible for creating a panic over the spread of the illness, which he believes is not as dangerous as the news makes it put to be. "I don't think humanity is in danger ... we've gone a bit overboard on this," he said.
Earlier Thursday, Population and Immigration Authority inspectors at the Ramon Airport in southern Israel refused to let 25 passengers, arriving on a Ryanair flight from Bergamo, Italy, to enter the country. Nineteen of them are Italian citizens and the rest are of various other nationalities.
Israeli passengers departed the plane and were instructed by the Health Ministry to self-quarantine for 14 days.
Israeli flag carrier El Al said earlier it has ordered the immediate suspension of all flights to and from Italy, with travel to Thailand set to also be halted next week until March 27, due spread of the virus.
"In light of the health and interior ministries directive, the company is forced to announce the suspension of operations in Milan, Venice, Rome and Naples,” said the airlines in a statement. “Operations in Thailand will be halted starting Monday until March 27, with the last flight to Bangkok departing on Sunday and the last flight to Israel departing on Tuesday.”
Israelis who arrived back to the country from Italy on Thursday were surprised to find out there was no medical officials at the airport eager to examine them or transport them home for the mandated two-week quarantine due to spread of coronavirus.
Many are left with no option but to take public transport and risk exposing general public to a virus they might potentially be carrying.
Earlier in the day, the Health Ministry confirmed an Israeli national who had returned from Italy on Sunday tested positive for the coronavirus. Italy is now among the countries severely affected by the health crisis, with 15 confirmed fatalities and over 600 confirmed cases of the COVID-19 virus. On Wednesday the Health Ministry issued a travel warning to the country that now effectively joins a host of Far East state with travel advisory.
"We are shocked no one tested us when we arrived," said Eden, 22, from northern Israel who returned from a trip to Venice with her mother and sister.
"The fact that employees [at Ben Gurion Airport] are not wearing masks is surprising. We walked all around Italy with masks, refrained from any crowded areas and are now heading to quarantine at home."
Ilana Mizel, who returned from Milan and was on her way to Kiryat Haim in northern Israel, called “stupid” the Health Ministry’s directive to self-quarantine.
"I think it's rather stupid to send me to a home quarantine after I stood in a packed terminal, with no one checking me,” she said.
“What if I have to take the train to get home?"
Daniela, 28, an architecture student from the Veneto region in northern Italy, decided to return to Israel because of the virus outbreak in the European country. "The authorities canceled all our classes, so I decided to return home," she said. "Even though it saddens me, I need to stay in quarantine and not meet up with my family for a long time," she added.
"And then they say that we need to be responsible," she said, referring to the oversight at Ben Gurion Airport.
Popular Israeli TV host Guy Pines, who took a flight to Europe on Thursday morning, tried to bring down the level of hysteria surrounding the new virus.
"I'm heading to a destination that isn't considered 'contaminated,' or else I would have not traveled, I keep an eye on these sorts of things. I'm not panicking, and I don't think other people should either," he said.
"I don't even think the masks really work," he added. "I think it's more to feel like something is being done, but that's not what's going to save us from this new virus."
Pines then implied the media is responsible for creating a panic over the spread of the illness, which he believes is not as dangerous as the news makes it put to be. "I don't think humanity is in danger ... we've gone a bit overboard on this," he said.
Earlier Thursday, Population and Immigration Authority inspectors at the Ramon Airport in southern Israel refused to let 25 passengers, arriving on a Ryanair flight from Bergamo, Italy, to enter the country. Nineteen of them are Italian citizens and the rest are of various other nationalities.
Israeli passengers departed the plane and were instructed by the Health Ministry to self-quarantine for 14 days.
Israeli flag carrier El Al said earlier it has ordered the immediate suspension of all flights to and from Italy, with travel to Thailand set to also be halted next week until March 27, due spread of the virus.
"In light of the health and interior ministries directive, the company is forced to announce the suspension of operations in Milan, Venice, Rome and Naples,” said the airlines in a statement. “Operations in Thailand will be halted starting Monday until March 27, with the last flight to Bangkok departing on Sunday and the last flight to Israel departing on Tuesday.”
The officials at the school, located at Brenner Regional Council in central Israel, say the infected man's immediate family have all been quarantined; Israeli national returned from Italy on Sunday and tested positive for virus on Thursday morning
The son of an Israeli man who tested positive for coronavirus on Thursday, attended the local school for days before he began showing symptoms and fears of the spread arose within the family.
The Health Ministry revealed earlier that an Israeli national who arrived on a flight from Italy at the start of the week tested positive for the deadly COVID-19 virus. The ministry ordered the rest of the passengers on board the El Al flight LY382 that landed at Ben Gurion Airport on Sunday afternoon to immediately self-quarantine for 14 days and report to the ministry via their website.
The man is a resident of a small community, Gan Raveh Regional Council in central Israel, while the son is a student at a school located in Brenner Regional Council near the city of Rehovot.
Health officials say the man was tested for the virus Wednesday, after he began showing symptoms of the disease, with the lab results coming back in the early hours of Thursday. He was taken to the dedicated quarantine area at Sheba Medical Center near Tel Aviv.
Members of the infected man’s immediate family, who did not travel to Italy, have also all been tested for the illness put into quarantine.
The Brenner Regional Council emphasized the patient’s son is not a resident of the community and only attends the local school.
“The council and the school’s staff are in constant contact with the health and education ministries,” said the statement. “We will act and update as the situation develops.”
On Wednesday, health officials announced anyone returning from Italy must remain in quarantine for a period of 14 days, making it the first European nation to be put on a travel advisory list that so far included Hong Kong, Macau, Japan, South Korea, Singapore, Thailand and China, where the virus originated.
The son of an Israeli man who tested positive for coronavirus on Thursday, attended the local school for days before he began showing symptoms and fears of the spread arose within the family.
The Health Ministry revealed earlier that an Israeli national who arrived on a flight from Italy at the start of the week tested positive for the deadly COVID-19 virus. The ministry ordered the rest of the passengers on board the El Al flight LY382 that landed at Ben Gurion Airport on Sunday afternoon to immediately self-quarantine for 14 days and report to the ministry via their website.
The man is a resident of a small community, Gan Raveh Regional Council in central Israel, while the son is a student at a school located in Brenner Regional Council near the city of Rehovot.
Health officials say the man was tested for the virus Wednesday, after he began showing symptoms of the disease, with the lab results coming back in the early hours of Thursday. He was taken to the dedicated quarantine area at Sheba Medical Center near Tel Aviv.
Members of the infected man’s immediate family, who did not travel to Italy, have also all been tested for the illness put into quarantine.
The Brenner Regional Council emphasized the patient’s son is not a resident of the community and only attends the local school.
“The council and the school’s staff are in constant contact with the health and education ministries,” said the statement. “We will act and update as the situation develops.”
On Wednesday, health officials announced anyone returning from Italy must remain in quarantine for a period of 14 days, making it the first European nation to be put on a travel advisory list that so far included Hong Kong, Macau, Japan, South Korea, Singapore, Thailand and China, where the virus originated.
Unnamed man returned four days ago from Italy but developed symptoms including fever on Wednesday; health officials are contacting anyone he may have come in contact with since his return to country
The Health Ministry confirmed Thursday that Israel has its first case of coronavirus of someone not in quarantine, in a man who returned from Italy four days ago.
The man has not been identified, but health officials say he was being taken to the dedicated quarantine area at Sheba Medical Center near Tel Aviv.
The man arrived four days ago from Italy and began presenting symptoms including fever on Wednesday.
Health officials say they will be contacting anyone he may have come in contact with since his return to Israel.
Two other Israelis were confirmed earlier in the month to have contracted the virus while on the Diamond Princess cruise liner. They were also quarantined at Sheba and are reported to be in good condition.
On Wednesday, health officials announced anyone returning from Italy must remain in quarantine for a period of 14 days, making it the first European nation to be included on a list that includes Hong Kong, Macau, China, Japan, Singapore and Thailand.
On Thursday, Interior Minister Aryeh Deri announced he would be banning entry of non-Israelis arriving from Italy.
The Health Ministry confirmed Thursday that Israel has its first case of coronavirus of someone not in quarantine, in a man who returned from Italy four days ago.
The man has not been identified, but health officials say he was being taken to the dedicated quarantine area at Sheba Medical Center near Tel Aviv.
The man arrived four days ago from Italy and began presenting symptoms including fever on Wednesday.
Health officials say they will be contacting anyone he may have come in contact with since his return to Israel.
Two other Israelis were confirmed earlier in the month to have contracted the virus while on the Diamond Princess cruise liner. They were also quarantined at Sheba and are reported to be in good condition.
On Wednesday, health officials announced anyone returning from Italy must remain in quarantine for a period of 14 days, making it the first European nation to be included on a list that includes Hong Kong, Macau, China, Japan, Singapore and Thailand.
On Thursday, Interior Minister Aryeh Deri announced he would be banning entry of non-Israelis arriving from Italy.
22 feb 2020
Health Ministry asks anyone who came in contact with the delegation, on a week-long trip organized by their Catholic Church between February 8 and 15, to self-quarantine for two weeks
At least nine out of hundreds of people infected with coronavirus in South Korea over the past few days have visited Israel in the past two weeks, the Health Ministry confirmed on Saturday. video video
The South Koreans had recently returned from a week-long trip to Israel, which lasted from February 8 until 15, organized by their Catholic Church. The delegation included 39 South Korean pilgrims.
South Korea earlier reported an eight-fold jump in viral infections in four days to 433. There's concern that the death toll, currently at two, could grow. At least 17 of the infected are in critical condition, Vice Health Minister Kim Gang-lip said.
Although it remains unclear whether they contracted the disease before or after the trip, the Health Ministry said anyone who came in direct contact with the South Korean delegation, must self-quarantine for at least two weeks.
Among the sites visited by the delegation were: David Tower Hotel in Netanya; the town of Caesarea; the city of Nazareth, including St. Gabriel hotel; The David Dead Sea Resort; Masada National Park; The Leonardo Hotel in Be'er Sheva; The Cave of the Patriarchs in Hebron; the city of Jerusalem, including Grand Court Hotel.
On Friday, Israel confirmed the country's first case of COVID-19 after one of the 11 Israelis who returned from Japan has been diagnosed with the virus.
The Israelis were quarantined near Tokyo on a cruise line hit by coronavirus for two weeks. Japan's health officials said all 11 tested negative to the virus prior to disembarking but once the passengers landed in the country.
At least nine out of hundreds of people infected with coronavirus in South Korea over the past few days have visited Israel in the past two weeks, the Health Ministry confirmed on Saturday. video video
The South Koreans had recently returned from a week-long trip to Israel, which lasted from February 8 until 15, organized by their Catholic Church. The delegation included 39 South Korean pilgrims.
South Korea earlier reported an eight-fold jump in viral infections in four days to 433. There's concern that the death toll, currently at two, could grow. At least 17 of the infected are in critical condition, Vice Health Minister Kim Gang-lip said.
Although it remains unclear whether they contracted the disease before or after the trip, the Health Ministry said anyone who came in direct contact with the South Korean delegation, must self-quarantine for at least two weeks.
Among the sites visited by the delegation were: David Tower Hotel in Netanya; the town of Caesarea; the city of Nazareth, including St. Gabriel hotel; The David Dead Sea Resort; Masada National Park; The Leonardo Hotel in Be'er Sheva; The Cave of the Patriarchs in Hebron; the city of Jerusalem, including Grand Court Hotel.
On Friday, Israel confirmed the country's first case of COVID-19 after one of the 11 Israelis who returned from Japan has been diagnosed with the virus.
The Israelis were quarantined near Tokyo on a cruise line hit by coronavirus for two weeks. Japan's health officials said all 11 tested negative to the virus prior to disembarking but once the passengers landed in the country.
18 feb 2020
The woman claims her parents who were aboard the infected ship, had been thrown into a remote military hospital in Tokyo where the doctors speak no English, the food is inedible, and the medical staff don't know how to take basic blood tests
The daughter of two Israelis infected with coronavirus in Japan, said her parents had been thrown into a remote military hospital where she claims the treatment is subpar, the doctors speak no English and there is no food.
It was confirmed on Sunday that three out of 15 Israelis on board the Diamond Princess cruise liner had tested positive for the COVID-19 virus. As of Tuesday, 542 cases of the virus have been identified among the 3,711 quarantined passengers and crew, making the ship the site of the most infections outside of China.
"They are at a remote location from Tokyo," said the daughter. "The medical staff at the hospital is not professional enough. They hardly know how to take a blood test and don't speak English," she added.
"There is no way they're able to explain to my parents what is going on, what medical procedures are being done and what the results of the tests are."
The daughter said as far as she’s aware her parents had been “thrown into a big hangar,” where they haven’t been fed since being taken off the ship almost three days ago.
“The food there is not suitable for a Westerner, a Chabad emissary is on his way over there to bring them food,” she said.
The daughter added that even though she wishes the Israeli government would bring the parents back home, she hopes that at the very least they will be transferred to a different hospital in Japan, which has English-speaking staff.
"It is very difficult for them to be cut off from the world, without television, without internet and without communication with the locals. The parents, at least say, they feel good and that everything will be okay.”
The daughter of two Israelis infected with coronavirus in Japan, said her parents had been thrown into a remote military hospital where she claims the treatment is subpar, the doctors speak no English and there is no food.
It was confirmed on Sunday that three out of 15 Israelis on board the Diamond Princess cruise liner had tested positive for the COVID-19 virus. As of Tuesday, 542 cases of the virus have been identified among the 3,711 quarantined passengers and crew, making the ship the site of the most infections outside of China.
"They are at a remote location from Tokyo," said the daughter. "The medical staff at the hospital is not professional enough. They hardly know how to take a blood test and don't speak English," she added.
"There is no way they're able to explain to my parents what is going on, what medical procedures are being done and what the results of the tests are."
The daughter said as far as she’s aware her parents had been “thrown into a big hangar,” where they haven’t been fed since being taken off the ship almost three days ago.
“The food there is not suitable for a Westerner, a Chabad emissary is on his way over there to bring them food,” she said.
The daughter added that even though she wishes the Israeli government would bring the parents back home, she hopes that at the very least they will be transferred to a different hospital in Japan, which has English-speaking staff.
"It is very difficult for them to be cut off from the world, without television, without internet and without communication with the locals. The parents, at least say, they feel good and that everything will be okay.”
