Parents of U.S. Terror Victim Malki Roth Demand Justice for 2001 Sbarro Bombing

JERUSALEM – The heartbreaking plea of Frimet and Arnold Roth, parents of 15-year-old U.S. citizen Malki Roth, who was tragically killed in the 2001 Sbarro pizzeria bombing in Jerusalem, has reignited a fierce call for justice. On July 17, 2025, the Roths held a virtual meeting with Jeanine F. Pirro, U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia, urging decisive action to extradite Ahlam Aref Ahmad al-Tamimi, the self-confessed Hamas terrorist behind the attack that claimed 16 lives, including three Americans.

The Roths passionately appealed to Pirro, emphasizing the urgency of honoring the 1995 extradition treaty with Jordan, where al-Tamimi is reportedly harbored. “Jordan needs to know the U.S. cannot tolerate the protection of a murderer of American citizens,” Arnold Roth declared, underscoring the broader implications for U.S. justice on the global stage. With the 24th anniversary of the horrific August 9, 2001, bombing approaching, their resolve remains unshaken.

Al-Tamimi, currently on the FBI’s Most Wanted Terrorists list, has shown no remorse, reportedly boasting about the attack in Arab media and vowing to repeat such acts. The U.S. State Department has placed a $5 million reward for information leading to her capture, while continuing to press Jordan to hold her accountable for the deaths of Malki Roth, Judith Shoshana Greenberg, and Chana Nachenberg. Despite these efforts, Jordan’s King Abdullah II has resisted extradition demands, creating a diplomatic standoff.

During the meeting, Frimet Roth’s words carried raw emotion: “We cannot carry this fight alone any longer. Please, be the voice for Malki and the other American victims.” The Roths also submitted a petition with 30,000 signatures to U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee in May 2025, urging the administration to intensify pressure on Jordan. Yet, Arnold Roth expressed frustration over years of apparent inaction from senior U.S. officials, calling their treatment of the case “deplorable.”

Jordan, a significant recipient of U.S. military aid, has received over $2.1 billion in Foreign Military Financing since 2015, raising questions about the leverage the U.S. holds in this matter. As the Roths continue their tireless fight, their story is a stark reminder of the enduring pain of terrorism and the unyielding quest for accountability.