U.S. Terror Victim’s Killer LIVES FREE Abroad!

When justice becomes entangled in geopolitical chess, terror victims’ families see their worst nightmare: killers shielded by diplomacy and legal loopholes.

At a Glance

• American parents of Malki Roth—killed in the 2001 Jerusalem Sbarro bombing—have urged U.S. officials to extradite Ahlam al‑Tamimi from Jordan.
• Al‑Tamimi orchestrated the attack that killed 15 in Jerusalem, including U.S. citizens.
• Jordan refuses extradition, citing constitutional barriers and widespread public support for al‑Tamimi.
• The case has strained U.S.–Jordan relations and prompted intense scrutiny of diplomatic leverage.
• Victim families continue to press for accountability amid conflicting legal and political constraints.

A Quest for Justice

Frimet and Arnold Roth have led a years‑long campaign to see the alleged orchestrator of their daughter’s death face U.S. justice. They recently met with U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro, urging renewed efforts to extradite Ahlam al‑Tamimi, who was convicted by an Israeli military court and sentenced to multiple life terms. Released in a 2011 hostage‑swap, she now resides openly in Jordan, despite indictments in U.S. courts on charges including use of a weapon of mass destruction against Americans.

Jordanian judicial authorities rely on a 1995 extradition treaty signed with the U.S., but its ratification was never approved by the Jordanian Parliament. As a result, the country’s Court of Cassation declared it unenforceable under domestic law—thus blocking all extradition attempts.

Watch a report: Father of Sbarro terror victim on Tamimi extradition reports · YouTube

The Diplomatic Impasse

Jordan’s refusal to comply is reinforced by robust public sentiment in the kingdom and Palestinian territories that frames al‑Tamimi as a hero rather than a fugitive. Jordanian officials reject extradition requests not only on legal grounds but in response to visible domestic outcry.

Despite repeated U.S. pressure—including considerations to condition foreign aid—Jordanian representatives have pushed back, stressing that no binding obligation exists under its constitution or treaty framework.

Long‑Term Stakes and Lessons

Ultimately, the failure to extradite al‑Tamimi illustrates how political and legal constraints can override moral and judicial imperatives. For the U.S., missing the chance to try her domestically undermines prosecutorial authority and erodes the message about accountability for terror attacks on Americans. For victims and their loved ones, it represents grief deferred and justice denied.

This case will likely shape future U.S. diplomacy, extradition negotiations, and counterterrorism policy. It underscores the importance of treaty ratification and domestic legal clarity in bilateral agreements. As long as such treaties remain unenforceable due to internal legal inconsistencies, diplomacy may tragically shield those responsible for atrocities, while victims’ families continue to fight for closure.