JUDGE IN AIPAC CASE TO PROBE JURORS ON ANTI-JEWISH BIAS

Judge in AIPAC case to probe jurors on anti-Jewish bias
WASHINGTON (JTA) – The federal judge in the classified information case against two former AIPAC staffers wants to probe prospective jurors about possible anti-Semitic views.

Judge T.S. Ellis III of the U.S. District Court in Alexandria, Va., also asked prosecutors and defense lawyers for opinions on banning peremptory challenges to prospective jurors that appear to be based on religion.

Ellis' requests add two more potentially groundbreaking legal wrinkles in an already unprecedented case. And they signal that the trial will likely raise the specter of dual loyalty to Israel and the United States.