B’nai B’rith International CEO Daniel S. Mariaschin sent a letter to U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio urging the United States to press Jordan to extradite Ahlam Aref Ahmad Al-Tamimi, a Jordanian national wanted for her role in the 2001 Sbarro restaurant bombing in Jerusalem that killed and injured American citizens. Tamimi, who remains unrepentant, has lived freely in Jordan since being released in a hostage exchange, while the Jordanian government has repeatedly refused U.S. extradition requests. With the 25th anniversary of the attack approaching, the need for justice and closure for the victims and their families has never been more urgent. Read the letter below, or in PDF format here.

Dear Mr. Secretary:

I write to inquire about any developments in the proceedings in the case of Ahlam Aref Ahmad Al-Tamimi, a Jordanian national wanted by the United States in connection to the horrific August 9, 2001 Sbarro restaurant bombing in Jerusalem, which killed and injured American citizens. The bombing killed Malka (Malki) Roth, 15, and Judith Greenbaum, a pregnant 31-year-old teacher. A third American, Chana Nachenberg, died in 2023 after being in a coma for 22 years. The injured Americans included David Danzig, 21, Matthew P. Gordon, 25, and Sara Shifra Nachenberg, 2. Tamimi has been unrepentant for her actions.

During the first Trump Administration, the government unsealed a criminal complaint against Tamimi from 2013 and added her to the FBI’s Most Wanted List. She is a citizen of Jordan, where she has resided since she was released by Israel as part of a deal to free Israeli hostage Gilad Shalit from Hamas captivity. In the years since, Jordan has refused to extradite her to the United States.

We urge the United States government to continue to press the Jordanian government to extradite Tamimi so that she can face justice in a U.S. court of law.

Next year will be the 25th anniversary of a terrorist attack that, even among the many terror attacks throughout the Second Intifada, is notable in its gruesomeness. We hope and pray that the families of the victims will soon be able to have closure in this matter.

Respectfully,

Robert B. Spitzer, President                          Daniel S. Mariaschin, CEO