Trapped in Bolivian Prison

Occasionally you hear a story so outrageous, so contrary to normative standards of freedom, that it almost defies belief.

Jacob Ostreicher is a 53-year-old New Yorker who went to Bolivia in South America to manage a rice factory. One of the factory owners was investigated on criminal charges, and the next thing Jacob knew, he was thrown into prison.

Not just any prison, but the notorious Palmasola prison, where rapists and murderers run the prison – and anyone not toeing the line becomes subject to their whims.

Even more scandalous is that no charges have been filed against Ostreicher. His family believes that the Bolivian government singled him out as an American and is essentially holding him ransom for a large sum of money.

See more info at this CNN article, and at freejacobnow.com.

You can help your brother. Sign the petition asking the White House to directly intervene to secure Ostreicher’s freedom.

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Published: May 26, 2012
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Visitor Comments: 27

(26) Ser, June 9, 2012 9:33 PM

BAD STRATEGY, BETTER A TWIT TO EVO MORALES

That is wrong, you must send all the petitions to the Evo Morales twitter @evomorales . Yes, send a twit to the President of Bolivia directly. Obama is 0 of the left to Evo. Really, if thousands of twits press him. Evo must feel a community is back Jacob If you true want to help Jacob send a twit and tell your friends that do it day and night until he see the public protest of an injustice

(25) rivka, June 5, 2012 3:18 AM

"under maintenance"

I get the same error message...can't sign..what to do?

(24) Anonymous, June 1, 2012 4:14 AM

This is a very terrible situation and must be called to the attention of the US govt. Unfortunately, Mr. Ostreicher is not the only one in this kind of situation. Allan Gross, a native of the DC area and US govt humanitarian aid worker, is in prison in Cuba and has been for over 2 years. It is our duty to expose these injustices to the world and help however we can. These men need all the help that they can get.

(23) Varda Eisikovich, May 30, 2012 10:38 AM

Having we Jews suffered enough?

The story brought me to tears, what else can I do?

(22) Jorge Pustilnik, May 30, 2012 4:06 AM

Jacob's life is on risk. Jacob needs urgently a rescue.

Bolivian government is, as usualy, an enemy of the USA and a vulgar antisemit and antiisraeli system.

(21) C. Aranoff, May 29, 2012 10:15 PM

I don't understand how America was able to arrange so quickly to fly the Chinese dissident Cheng and his family to the USA - while a Jewish husband and father languishes in a Bolivian jail for no reason and no trial. Uncle Sam where are you? What happened to the great United States of America that we were so proud of?

(20) chava berg, May 29, 2012 9:23 PM

can't sign petition

of course i went to the" sign the petition" site but when i wanted to create an account (you cannot sign a petition unless you create first an account) i got a message that this web page is undergoing construction. does this happen to any of you as well? it means i could not sign. please run this article after the technicalities are in back in working order so we can put in a good word for the unfortunate Mr. Ostreicher.

(19) Claire, May 29, 2012 8:38 PM

His company is responsible for him

Don't expect the US government to do anything; they haven't helped others in the same situation. His company, that sent him to Bolivia is responsible for him. They should pay the "ransom" or rescue him as Ross Perot did his employees in Iran.

(18) Beth, May 29, 2012 8:32 PM

It may be a Test of Faith

When all seems hopeless YHWH steps in to help His beloved!! For many of us (incl. me) Life goes through His Refining Fire only then we can come out shining before Him. May the Holy One of Israel deliver this innocent and suffering man and unite him soon with his family ASAP. This is my sincere prayer. Psalm 143:3-He heals the broken in heart and binds up their wounds. Psalm 68:6-Elohim sets the solitary in families, He brings out those that are bound with chains, but the rebellious dwell in a dry land .... (Bolivia will pay heavily for this wicked act.) Has anybody thought of fasting and praying for Jacob O. ?. - I will do it - and I hope many others will do it too. I had prayed for Gilad Shallit too like many, ever since he was taken captive and sure enough his Freedom came. Prayer is a 2-edged sword that cuts through all evil. Yeshaiyah / Isaiah 58.6 says-Is not this the fast that I have chosen? to loose the bands of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, and to let the oppressed go free, and that you break every yoke? Please, let's pray persistently that Jacob will be FREE!!

(17) Moshi Hassan, May 29, 2012 8:04 PM

Are we crazy or plain lazy?

I beleive this an embarassing and hipocritical situation for us "humans" and the USA goverment.If the were money to be gained,or political leverege would the US gov do something?

(16) Judy, May 29, 2012 7:26 PM

What's his Hebrew name?

We need to daven for him.

Joyce, May 29, 2012 8:13 PM

Hebrew Name

His Hebrew name is Yakov Yida ben Sheindel

(15) shirley caro, May 29, 2012 6:31 PM

Jacob in a Bolivian prison

I would think the American government would think more of its citizens. This is a disgrace

(14) Aharon Levi, May 29, 2012 6:02 PM

What makes USA to free him?

Why the USA Government permits that and does not do a thing?

(13) simon, May 29, 2012 5:45 PM

thats whay they are poor

this is the very reason bolivia and other countries are poor. because they want to rob and imprison the enterpernures who provide jobs and develope the econonmy.

(12) Cathy Vimpany, May 29, 2012 5:35 PM

Why is it impossible to free Jacob? Where are the Leaders?

Where are the Leaders of the Free World when you need one? Things have sunk to rock bottom . If I was a leader, I would not rest until this man was freed. The whole world is obsessed by politics and greed! Nobody lifts a finger when there is nothing in it for them!!

(11) Anonymous, May 29, 2012 5:26 PM

pray!

prayer is our most powerful tool. everyone should pray and increase their mitzvah observance for the homecoming of our brother! PRAY, LIGHT SHABBAT CANDLES, ASK G-D TO HELP!

(10) Lisa, May 29, 2012 5:05 PM

This happends every day in the US

Yes its unjust but it happends every day in the US; one of the only countries that won't even sign the Human Rights Treaties let alone comply with them. Let's hope that for once the US will do the right thing and help this man.

(9) Anonymous, May 29, 2012 3:19 PM

Have they mentioned any ransom?

Have they mentioned any ransom? I am sure many people including myself would gladly contribute to pay for this ransom to bring this back to his family.

(8) MrBezzeg, May 29, 2012 2:38 PM

Very, very Sad!

Shavuot and Shabbat makes it even sadder, not to speak of the little boy!

(7) Lyle Jaffe, May 29, 2012 2:29 PM

GET JACOB OUT NOW!!!

This is another unjust arrest and imprisonment. Please do everything possible to free Jacob as well as Alan Gross who is also unjustly imprisoned in Cuba.

(6) brian, May 29, 2012 2:07 PM

Bolivia latin America no surprise!!

What does one expect from latin America refuge of Nazis

(5) Dennis, May 29, 2012 1:36 PM

Non US citizens need a voice too

A petition to the White House carries less weight if signed by non US citizens, maybe we should also petition the UN so that international overtures can be arranged.

(4) Anonymous, May 29, 2012 1:15 PM

what is the white house waiting for???

how does the white house allow such a travesty winding of justice

(3) /Barbara Fields, May 29, 2012 1:00 PM

Aghast!

I only learned this today from Aish. Why did we not hear of this sooner. Jacob's plight has never been mentioned in Raleigh, NC from any shul or Jewish center. if the public especially the Jewish public has no knowledge of such cases how can they react. I want more infor and will go onto his site.

(2) Frances Makarova, May 29, 2012 12:10 PM

Terrifying

I hope that everyone will sign this petition, and pass it on to as many other's as possible. What is being done to this man is just criminal.

(1) Walter Acrich, May 29, 2012 4:59 AM

Stop the injustice

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