Skip to main content

Trump isn't playing games

Jordan May Extradite Sbarro Bombing Mastermind Al-Tamimi to US

Ahlam Tamimi is the scourge of the earth, and to this day, she is proud of what she achieved: Murdering Israeli civilians in a pizza store.

Israeli security forces at the scene of a suicide bombing terror attack at the Sbarro restaurant in Jerusalem's city center on August 9, 2001
Photo by Nati Shohat/Flash90

Jordan has reportedly issued an unprecedented ultimatum concerning Ahlam Tamimi, the architect of one of Jerusalem's most devastating terrorist attacks of the early 2000s. According to sources cited by Al-Araby al-Jadeed, Jordanian intelligence officials have informed Hamas that Tamimi faces imminent extradition to the United States, barring the emergence of an alternative host nation within 24 hours.

The case of Tamimi, which has remained a point of diplomatic contention between Washington and Amman for over a decade, exemplifies the intricate challenges of prosecuting perpetrators of terrorist acts in an era of competing jurisdictions and conflicting political interests. The former Hamas operative, who masterminded the 2001 Sbarro pizzeria bombing that claimed 16 lives and left 130 wounded, has resided in Jordan since her release in the 2011 Gilad Shalit prisoner exchange agreement, during which Israel freed 1,027 security prisoners in exchange for the captured IDF soldier.

The timing of Jordan's reported decision is interesting, coinciding with heightened diplomatic engagement between Amman and Washington. King Abdullah II is scheduled to conduct high-level discussions with US President Donald Trump on February 11, amid tensions over the administration's proposals regarding Palestinian displacement and regional refugee policies.

The legal framework surrounding Tamimi's potential extradition is complex. Despite Jordan and the United States having signed an extradition treaty in 1995, Amman's highest court previously blocked her transfer in 2017, citing technical disputes over the treaty's ratification status. The US Justice Department, which indicted Tamimi in 2013 for conspiring to use a weapon of mass destruction against American nationals, has maintained that the bilateral agreement remains valid and enforceable.

During her years in Jordan, Tamimi has maintained a conspicuous public profile, hosting television programs and delivering lectures. In a 2017 interview with The Associated Press, she articulated her position supporting Palestinian armed resistance against Israel, including attacks targeting civilians—statements that have further complicated Jordan's diplomatic position regarding her continued presence in the kingdom.

The families of the Sbarro attack victims, particularly those of dual American-Israeli citizenship, have persistently advocated for Tamimi's extradition. Frimet and Arnold Roth, whose 15-year-old daughter Malki held US citizenship, have led a sustained campaign urging American authorities to leverage their substantial aid relationship with Jordan—a key regional ally—to secure Tamimi's transfer to US jurisdiction.

The broader context of this development extends beyond the specific case of Tamimi. Jordan, which receives significant American financial assistance, currently faces multiple diplomatic challenges: pressure to participate in regional arrangements regarding Gaza's population, concerns about Palestinian displacement, and the complexities of managing its own significant Palestinian population, including citizens potentially affected by ongoing hostage release agreements.

From a legal perspective, the case presents unique challenges in international criminal justice. The US charge of using a weapon of mass destruction—rather than standard terrorism charges—reflects the strategic application of American criminal statutes to expand jurisdictional reach in international terrorism cases. This approach has precedent in other high-profile terrorism prosecutions but faces particular challenges when involving jurisdictions with complex diplomatic relationships.

Jordan's reported willingness to consider extradition may signal a broader recalibration of its approach to international justice cooperation, particularly in cases involving American victims.

Should the extradition proceed, it would mark a significant victory for American prosecutors and victims' families while potentially straining Jordan's relations with Palestinian factions.

The absence of official confirmation from both American and Jordanian authorities suggests that diplomatic negotiations may still be ongoing, with the potential for further developments as King Abdullah's Washington visit approaches.

Times of Israel contributed to this article.

0

Loading comments...