Thank you Bari for publishing Arnold Roth's important and deeply moving letter. Am contributing right now to American Friends of Keren Malki. May Malki's memory be a blessing and inspire us to good deeds and actions.
#SlowJoe will get right on that. Ilhan Isis Omar and Rashida Taliban Tlaib will be appointed special ambassadors. No democrat is going to help you. Almost no Republican will. Trump likely would.
I'm convinced it's some kind of unresolved daddy issues with these one trick 45 haters. They just spew out venom and hatred like overstimulated, angry, out of control toddlers
that have been denied cookies. An adult that presents with that level of obsessive acting out has major issues. There is no rational discussion to be had with them.
You’re right, so I then switch from rational discussions to exposing them for what they are. It’s not hard because the facts are never on their side. It doesn’t take long to find the anti-Semites even when they hide behind “Jewish friends”.
I’m an American immigrant and a non-Jewish Zionist, and have been unable to understand why American Jews blindly support Democrats with whom they have nothing in common. I once asked a Rabbi why American Jews vote 70% for Democrats and he told me to let him know as soon as I find out.
After all that Trump did in spite of all the abuse by liberals, the DNC, Big Media and Big Tech, the least I can do is pound those critics who libel him into the ground. It’s my personal Jihad against the anti-Semites, if you know what I mean.
They just cannot be allowed to prevail based on falsehoods, or facts out of context, as is the case with this loser.
Only a Democrat leader can be so anti-Israel as we see from Nancy Pelosi here. Political power is all that matters to them and they will throw Israel under the bus if it helps them. Not a single Democrat Congressperson attended the celebration of moving the US Embassy to Jerusalem.
Thus, given the history of the Jews and Israel, the adjective “corrupt” for anyone who attacks an objectively pro-Israeli US President is perfectly appropriate.
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., refused to answer a question about "Squad" member Rep. Ilhan Omar’s, D-Minn., most recent inflammatory statements about Israel and her Jewish Democratic colleagues.
If your Jewish American friends want to challenge my contention that they are manifestly corrupt for “hating” the most pro-American, pro-minority and pro-Jewish and pro-Israeli President in history, I would love to hear from them.
BTW, Trump also gave the US the best economy in 50 years before the pandemic, especially for minorities, and calmly dealt with the US response with shutting down flights from China while the WHO and Fauci were still dithering, and used his business acumen to provide PPE, ventilators and vaccines in record time.
I have battled such anti-Israel Jews for decades and am well prepared.
It was/is generally true that Trump was more pro-Israel than Biden. So was Bush by the way. For decades the Republicans have been trending towards a pro-Israel position. The reverse is true for the Democrats. In 1960, this was probably not true. In 1960, the Democrats were probably more pro-Israel than the Republicans. The was 60 years ago.
Your comment that it was “generally true that Trump was more pro-Israel than Biden” in some strained attempt at moral equivalence is laughable, dude, in the context of the facts.
Trump was unabashedly pro-Jewish, pro-Israel, and anti-Palestinian and Iranian terrorism.
He moved the US Embassy to Jerusalem and marginalized the Palestinian terrorists, Iran and the anti-Semitic UN.
Bush was not hostile towards Israel whereas Biden follows the typical Democrat playbook - says he supports Israel but resumes funding the terrorists and puts Iran back in the game. Within days the emboldened terrorists launched a deadly rocket attack on Israel using rockets supplied by Iran.
Wise up, dude!
Biden would sell Israel down the river in a heartbeat to placate the terrorists and Iran. That’s what a two-state solution means with an adversary that refuses to accept Israel’s right to exist and has written Covenants calling for Israel to be wiped off the map and Jews killed.
The answers to your questions are in the original article:
"In March 2017, six days after the criminal charges against Tamimi were unsealed and more than two decades after the extradition treaty with the U.S. went into effect, Jordan’s highest court declared the 1995 treaty to be invalid. Jordan’s most senior judges said it had never been ratified by the Jordanian legislature.
"That isn’t true. Jordan had indeed ratified the treaty. I know because my wife and I used our right under the Freedom of Information Act [signed into law by President Lyndon Johnson] to request the 1995 treaty documents from [Trump's] State Department. When [Trump's State Department] failed to hand them over, we sued [Trump's State Department]. In April, [Trump's] State Department released the key documents.
"They contained a bombshell.
"Writing in regal style and invoking the “guidance of God,” the late King Hussein declared in a July 13, 1995, document addressed to the U.S. government his personal agreement as Jordan’s sovereign “to and ratification of that treaty in whole and in part. We further pledge to carry out its provisions and abide by its Articles, and we, God willing, shall not allow its violation.”
"Jordan betrayed the treaty, plain as day. But no [Trump administration] official has publicly addressed Jordan’s failure to comply with its treaty obligation, let alone protest the moral offense or the insult to American interests and decades of mutually beneficial relations."
The United States has multiple options and different types of leverage to secure Ahlam Aref Ahmad Al-Tamimi’s extradition,” Wooster wrote. “We will continue to engage Jordanian officials at all levels not only on this issue, but also on the extradition treaty more broadly. U.S. generosity to Jordan in Foreign Military Financing as well as economic support and other assistance is carefully calibrated to protect and advance the range of U.S. interests in Jordan and in the region.”
Asked specifically if aid to Jordan would be part of that leverage in the Al-Tamimi case, Wooster replied: “If confirmed, I would explore all options to bring Ahlam Aref Ahmad Al-Tamimi to justice, secure her extradition, and address the broader issues associated with the extradition treaty.” Wooster’s responses to the questions were obtained by The Associated Press.
Trump was the most unabashedly pro-Israel president in history. He moved the US Embassy to Jerusalem and marginalized Israel’s worst enemies like Hamas and Iran.
Nothing in your mile-high bullshit shows that Trump had any knowledge of this specific case. Had he known he would have acted in any way he could.
Only a vile anti-Semitic Trump-hater like you could try and implicate Trump in this issue. Trump had nothing to do with Israel releasing Tamimi and not turning her over to Mossad like the Olympic assassins.
Trump did far more serious things on Israel’s behalf like moving the US Embassy to Jerusalem and literally marginalizing the Hamas and Iranian terrorists.
Joey will do nothing. No Jewish democrat will raise this as an issue. The only way this could possibly work is if Trump came out and said leave Tamimi be where she is. Don't even contemplate doing a stinkin extradition. Then Joey and the dems will maybe rush to do the opposite.
What an unimaginable tragedy. How could one imagine the pain this family has experienced for 20 years. And her killer walks free treated like a rock star. And these are the people we're in bed with.
I hope Malki's family isn't waiting for President Biden to rouse himself to action. Maybe he'll appoint Kamala to spearhead this issue.
Thank you for letting us know this story. I will pray for extradition. There are far too many stories of the glorification of terrorists. Hopefully, this story comes to an end soon.
I never thought I'd be standing up for the Biden administration, but here goes. I think we are losing the ability in America to see anything except through partisan lenses, and I don't think that is a good thing. As such, I have been disturbed by some of the comments on this piece. I voted for President Trump twice and was appalled at the horrendous and prejudiced reaction he received and continues to receive from the press and from Democrats (and from anti-Trumpers), including outright lies about his activities. I also love Israel and have children living there. The pain of parents like the Roths and so many others as terrorists are lauded and encouraged, and lately as American elected officials join in that adulation, is real and shared by all good people.
Having said that, the Israeli government makes its own decisions and among them are not giving terrorists like Tamimi the death sentence, knowing that there is a credible chance of them being released. The Israeli nation chose to do a hostage exchange and let her go free. Gilad Shalit was in my daily prayers for years. I would not have wanted to be responsible for choosing whether to save him or not at the expense of releasing terrorists to kill again- it was an excruciating choice.
All leaders, including Joe Biden (or those making decisions for him), have to calculate national interest vs. emotional tugs. America is a poorer country because so many of our legislators have voted and promote voting on emotions alone. The U.S. has a relationship with Jordan in a volatile region of the world. There is true hatred of Israel and of Jews in the Democrat Party as well as anti-Americanism. Nonetheless, as pained as I may be at the Sbarro bombing and as upset as I am at the lies told about Israel by her enemies, in this case I do not see non-action on the part of the Biden administration, should that be so, as proof of anything nefarious, just a sad acknowledgment of the limits of a presidency in a real world.
This is a very objective and reasonable comment. It’s not bogged down with partisan rhetoric. It also contains no silver lining. I agree that sadly, there is little to no chance that Biden will touch this issue.
Wow. I don't even know what to say. Sadly, I wouldn't expect the barely-sentient Joe Biden to pick up this case. And the advisors he surrounds himself with hate Israel as much as Tamimi. I dearly wish that weren't so.
Please stop lying, anti-Semitic scum. There’s no evidence Trump knew anything about this. Unlike Obama and Biden, who have both sided with the Palestinian terrorists and emboldened Iran, Trump was the most openly pro-Jewish and pro-Israel president in history.
Since the issue comes up several times in this mostly partisan discussion, I want to clarify that my wife and I, Malki's parents, delivered personal letters to several senior White House figures after 2017. The actual results speak for themselves. Our revealing the details now won't achieve much.
We emphasized then and now that Tamimi is charged under US law (some of the comments here seem to have not noticed that aspect). And that there is a valid treaty requiring Jordan to extradite to Washington, one that Jordan waves off in a stunningly casual way.
Even before we obtained the document I mentioned in Bari's post, the one that resulted from us suing the State Dept in December 2020 under FOIA, it was clear to fair-minded observers that Jordan's refusal to hand the admitted bomber over to US prosecutors is based on a striking lack of good faith. The FOIA disclosure puts that beyond doubt.
We're not asking anyone for favors. Malki was a US citizen. US law applies to Malki's murder. Jordan has to extradite her. Since it has refused, the US ought to be raising its voice. It has a wide range of reasonable options.
As some of the comments here show, Jordan - the world's third largest recipient of US aid and a country characterized by widespread and massively antisemitic sentiment - is throwing sand in the direction of people's eyes. Sadly it's working for them.
To begin with, I’m so sorry for your loss. I can’t even imagine what you have been through.
May Malki R.I.P
I have no idea why your request was not dealt with in some form by the Trump administration.
I also have no idea why an unrepentant terrorist like Tamimi was included in the exchange by Israel, which is where your post-tragedy problem began.
I have no idea why Israel releases so many unrepentant terrorists in some sort of breast-beating symbolism and inexplicably emotional exchange for one soldier, leading to some of them killing more innocent Jews.
Releasing 1027 prisoners, including dozens of unrepentant terrorists for one soldier makes no sense at any level, at least to me. I find such an exchange to be reprehensible and inexplicable.
After the Munich Olympics almost every terrorist was held accountable. Why was Tamimi not turned over to Mossad for accountability? I think your daughter may have also been an Israeli citizen.
Finally, while sympathetic to your situation, I’m not going to allow anyone like this Trump-hating anti-Semite named Mark to dilute or denigrate what President Trump objectively did do for Israel, in spite of 70% of American Jews voting for Barack Obama, Hillary Clinton and Joe Biden - against Trump in the case of Clinton and Biden. These Democrats have caused nothing but death and destruction for Jews and Israel by emboldening Iran, funding the Palestinian terrorists and pushing for a two state solution which the Arabs have rejected since 1947 while refusing to accept Israel’s right to exist and vowing to wipe Israel off the map and kill Jews.
Israel can have no rational negotiating position in the face of such facts and so, funding the terrorists and emboldening their patron, Iran, is the worst thing the US can do to Israel, and yet it’s what the Democrats have been doing, even resuming after seeing how Trump marginalized Israel’s enemies.
May God bless you and your family as you deal with this inconsolable tragedy that you have suffered.
Nothing that has happened in the Ahlam Tamimi case since she appallingly walked free in the 2011 deal Israel did with Hamas reflects well on any political figure in Jordan, in the US and in Israel. Nor, with any exceptions at all, on the diplomats serving those countries. The blog my wife and I write together [http://thisongoingwar.blogspot.com/] has dozens of posts that explain and expand.
Being neither stupid nor excessively naive, we have zero interest in viewing any of this through a party-political lens. The comments on this page notwithstanding, this is about justice.
Thanks to the indefatigable Bari Weiss, we have now exposed the truth about the distorted narrative Jordan has allowed to be circulated. Our mission is do what it takes so that heads of state, diplomats and certainly the Missing in Action news industry restore justice to the center of this ongoing narrative where it certainly belongs,
All the best to you and your family. May you eventually succeed in bringing Tamimi to justice.
I would be doing the same in your shoes, other than perhaps primarily blaming Israel for the grossly unbalanced prisoner exchange that included so many unrepentant terrorists.
Had Israel not released so many unrepentant terrorists with no regard to any rational proportionality we wouldn’t be having this discussion.
Having said that, I believe you should continue to pressure the US and Jordan to extradite her and bring her to justice before she kills again!
Why are you blaming Biden’s advisers? It was Biden who decided to resume funding to the Palestinian terrorists and embrace Iran which Trump had marginalized.
The Roth's deserve justice and murderers to need to be held to account.
Still, the root of the problem is societal. In this case, it is Jordanian society, which seems to think murder is not just acceptable, but an actual celebrity career path. This is the root of so much evil and horror. This is not a "moderate" nation. It may not be the most extreme, but any place where murderers are held in high esteem, the nation is not an ally for much of anything.
This is a tragedy beyond comprehension. Unfortunately there is no law that prevents Israel or USA governments from making deals with adversaries which include prisoner exchanges, and also no law preventing convicted terrorists being part of these exchanges, even those doing life without parole. Exceptions can be made. If Pres Biden heeds this heartfelt plea and pursues the matter either directly with the King of Jordan or indirectly through the State Department and diplomatic back-channels, it is unlikely that Jordan will play ball given the high stakes - Tamimi is a celebrity, her arrest and extradition would likely cause public uproar, the issue can be politicized by opponents of the King and his government, etc. Pres Biden will obviously not burn political capital trying to force the King to act on it, given the vast American business and military interests in Jordan that are too important to jeopardize. However hope springs eternal. Are there other families similarly affected who are still actively pursuing justice? A joint effort in these things can help.
I hope Bari excuses me, but I wanted to share an article written about this about a year ago when I first heard of this. The article is a little more in-depth about the politics of the situation, arguably more accusatory of Bibi too.
Times of Israel actually has quite a few articles about this I haven't seen since I read the one above, including Ahlam Tamimi's husband being deported to Qatar.
Jordan is on shaky ground...they're one of the few ME countries without an Arab Spring, yet. They have water and job issues. While it'd be nice to have Tamimi in an American jail, Israel doesn't want a civil war in Jordan either. It's unfortunate, but, perhaps ppl can find solace that Israel has a peaceful, relatively friendly, neighbor.
Also, I see in the comments that there is much discussion about who is more or less pro-Israel. Bush and Trump clearly were more Pro-Israel than the Ds. There is really no debate about that no matter how many jewish friends that hate Trump exist. Jews are not a monolith so there is diversity of opinion including Jews that fully support the Iran deal and dove-like attitudes toward Hamas. My point is a bit different, the Rs support Israel because the Evangelicals on the right (R supporters) blindly believe in the Jewish right to the Holy Land Premise as well as Rs recognizing correctly that it is the only western-style and Pro-US democracy in the area. The Ds meanwhile are so obsessed with Muslim pandering (civil rights!) mostly in response to Trump derangement syndrome along with inherent - (I think possibly genuine) - sympathy to the plight of: a) real life David vs Goliath or b) Hamas designed/choreographed victims of their own people to create world sympathy.
Bari - thank you and Arnold Roth for this moving, touching, and painful article. It speaks to the hopelessness of the situation in the Middle East. There is no doubt that Israel has suffered under the terrorist-aligned (at least) palestinian leadership. The disproportionate exchange of prisoners is telling. But I have a question/proposal for you. I do understand you manning the bulwarks against the leftist belief that Israel is to blame and that the PA are the victims - when it appears to be muslim based and anti-Israel. But in truth the people on both sides are victims. I understand the thinking that it seems more wrong on the palestinian side. But innocent children should not die - yes Hamas uses their own for that and Israel does not stoop to that. The original "sin" or "mistake" of the creation of the Israeli state in 1948, no matter how well-intentioned, was created by the western powers pushed along by zionist terrorist attacks against colonial rule and rightful holocaust sympathy. It annexed unofficial Arab land - even with a growing population of Jews since before 1900 due to Zionism. Zionists had design on the Holy Land for at least a half century before Israel creation - their motivation was understandable - except for the annexing. The allies response should have been handled better than it was. But this is all history and semi-irrelevant now. Israel's manner of creation cannot be undone. I have long believed that there is only one long-term solution to this mess and that is that Israel make significant concessions to create a palestinian state. That is a bitter pill, yes. But is it better for Israel to cling to more land, etc.- no matter how right it may feel or be - or continue this mess with no end in sight endlessly into the future? The annexing of palestinian settlements is wrong and should be stopped - it is making matters worse. Stop the Netanyahu expansionism. Israel should be seeking to give over land and rights - yes it will make it geo. smaller. But maybe as much as Israel claims that it should be recognized (and not be subjected to annihilation threats) palestinians /Arab majority states given the same recognition may create a lasting peace. It's worth a try - if it does not yield fruit return to the stalemate. To be clear, this is not John Kerry pie in the sky philosophy talking. The Iran deal was a disaster/embarrassment/risk increase and Israel (and the US) should continue to make use of unilateral bombing of nuclear/other facilities. I believe this should be done with North Korea also. Common sense says don't wait until the nuclear weapons are in existence - send bombers in asap. Is it an act of war - yes. Is it a long-term act of peace for humanity? Also, yes.
If this family cannot get justice, then the hunter-killers of Massad should be let off the leash. Remove this mass murderer from the face of the Earth.
Thank you Bari for publishing Arnold Roth's important and deeply moving letter. Am contributing right now to American Friends of Keren Malki. May Malki's memory be a blessing and inspire us to good deeds and actions.
#SlowJoe will get right on that. Ilhan Isis Omar and Rashida Taliban Tlaib will be appointed special ambassadors. No democrat is going to help you. Almost no Republican will. Trump likely would.
"Trump likely would." LOL! Who was in office in March 2017 when Jordan falsely declared that the treaty was invalid?
Are you so corrupt inside that you cannot tell the difference towards Israel between Trump and Obama-Clinton-Biden?
I'm convinced it's some kind of unresolved daddy issues with these one trick 45 haters. They just spew out venom and hatred like overstimulated, angry, out of control toddlers
that have been denied cookies. An adult that presents with that level of obsessive acting out has major issues. There is no rational discussion to be had with them.
You’re right, so I then switch from rational discussions to exposing them for what they are. It’s not hard because the facts are never on their side. It doesn’t take long to find the anti-Semites even when they hide behind “Jewish friends”.
I’m an American immigrant and a non-Jewish Zionist, and have been unable to understand why American Jews blindly support Democrats with whom they have nothing in common. I once asked a Rabbi why American Jews vote 70% for Democrats and he told me to let him know as soon as I find out.
After all that Trump did in spite of all the abuse by liberals, the DNC, Big Media and Big Tech, the least I can do is pound those critics who libel him into the ground. It’s my personal Jihad against the anti-Semites, if you know what I mean.
They just cannot be allowed to prevail based on falsehoods, or facts out of context, as is the case with this loser.
I can tell the difference between what Trump did and what Biden has done so far about this particular issue, which is absolutely nothing.
Nice move on the accusation of "corruption" by the way. You must be a lot of fun at parties.
Only a Democrat leader can be so anti-Israel as we see from Nancy Pelosi here. Political power is all that matters to them and they will throw Israel under the bus if it helps them. Not a single Democrat Congressperson attended the celebration of moving the US Embassy to Jerusalem.
Thus, given the history of the Jews and Israel, the adjective “corrupt” for anyone who attacks an objectively pro-Israeli US President is perfectly appropriate.
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., refused to answer a question about "Squad" member Rep. Ilhan Omar’s, D-Minn., most recent inflammatory statements about Israel and her Jewish Democratic colleagues.
https://www.foxnews.com/politics/pelosi-refuses-answer-omar-question
>"the adjective “corrupt” for anyone who attacks an objectively pro-Israeli US President is perfectly appropriate."
I'll let my Jewish Israeli friends know that Mario Goveia says that they're corrupt. I'm sure they'll be happy to get this important news from you.
If your Jewish American friends want to challenge my contention that they are manifestly corrupt for “hating” the most pro-American, pro-minority and pro-Jewish and pro-Israeli President in history, I would love to hear from them.
BTW, Trump also gave the US the best economy in 50 years before the pandemic, especially for minorities, and calmly dealt with the US response with shutting down flights from China while the WHO and Fauci were still dithering, and used his business acumen to provide PPE, ventilators and vaccines in record time.
I have battled such anti-Israel Jews for decades and am well prepared.
Biden aka “senator MBNA” has been corrupt since the 80s
Only a thoroughly corrupt Jewish person can believe that Trump was not the most pro-Israel president in history.
I'm not Jewish. I do have a number of Jewish Israeli friends, though, and they all despise Trump.
Maybe you should stop screaming "corrupt!" at everybody you don't like.
It was/is generally true that Trump was more pro-Israel than Biden. So was Bush by the way. For decades the Republicans have been trending towards a pro-Israel position. The reverse is true for the Democrats. In 1960, this was probably not true. In 1960, the Democrats were probably more pro-Israel than the Republicans. The was 60 years ago.
Your comment that it was “generally true that Trump was more pro-Israel than Biden” in some strained attempt at moral equivalence is laughable, dude, in the context of the facts.
Trump was unabashedly pro-Jewish, pro-Israel, and anti-Palestinian and Iranian terrorism.
He moved the US Embassy to Jerusalem and marginalized the Palestinian terrorists, Iran and the anti-Semitic UN.
Bush was not hostile towards Israel whereas Biden follows the typical Democrat playbook - says he supports Israel but resumes funding the terrorists and puts Iran back in the game. Within days the emboldened terrorists launched a deadly rocket attack on Israel using rockets supplied by Iran.
Wise up, dude!
Biden would sell Israel down the river in a heartbeat to placate the terrorists and Iran. That’s what a two-state solution means with an adversary that refuses to accept Israel’s right to exist and has written Covenants calling for Israel to be wiped off the map and Jews killed.
Did the family appeal to Trump? Anything ? What did Trump’s admin reply ?
The answers to your questions are in the original article:
"In March 2017, six days after the criminal charges against Tamimi were unsealed and more than two decades after the extradition treaty with the U.S. went into effect, Jordan’s highest court declared the 1995 treaty to be invalid. Jordan’s most senior judges said it had never been ratified by the Jordanian legislature.
"That isn’t true. Jordan had indeed ratified the treaty. I know because my wife and I used our right under the Freedom of Information Act [signed into law by President Lyndon Johnson] to request the 1995 treaty documents from [Trump's] State Department. When [Trump's State Department] failed to hand them over, we sued [Trump's State Department]. In April, [Trump's] State Department released the key documents.
"They contained a bombshell.
"Writing in regal style and invoking the “guidance of God,” the late King Hussein declared in a July 13, 1995, document addressed to the U.S. government his personal agreement as Jordan’s sovereign “to and ratification of that treaty in whole and in part. We further pledge to carry out its provisions and abide by its Articles, and we, God willing, shall not allow its violation.”
"Jordan betrayed the treaty, plain as day. But no [Trump administration] official has publicly addressed Jordan’s failure to comply with its treaty obligation, let alone protest the moral offense or the insult to American interests and decades of mutually beneficial relations."
Uhhh..
https://apnews.com/article/abdullah-ii-jordan-ap-top-news-extradition-politics-e2b94cbfe5db2d9ca6d5d747323b909e
The United States has multiple options and different types of leverage to secure Ahlam Aref Ahmad Al-Tamimi’s extradition,” Wooster wrote. “We will continue to engage Jordanian officials at all levels not only on this issue, but also on the extradition treaty more broadly. U.S. generosity to Jordan in Foreign Military Financing as well as economic support and other assistance is carefully calibrated to protect and advance the range of U.S. interests in Jordan and in the region.”
Asked specifically if aid to Jordan would be part of that leverage in the Al-Tamimi case, Wooster replied: “If confirmed, I would explore all options to bring Ahlam Aref Ahmad Al-Tamimi to justice, secure her extradition, and address the broader issues associated with the extradition treaty.” Wooster’s responses to the questions were obtained by The Associated Press.
Trump admin "considered" withholding aid (very very seriously, I'm sure!), then did not.
#MAGA!
More than Biden
Who will do nothing
Trump was the most unabashedly pro-Israel president in history. He moved the US Embassy to Jerusalem and marginalized Israel’s worst enemies like Hamas and Iran.
Nothing in your mile-high bullshit shows that Trump had any knowledge of this specific case. Had he known he would have acted in any way he could.
Only a vile anti-Semitic Trump-hater like you could try and implicate Trump in this issue. Trump had nothing to do with Israel releasing Tamimi and not turning her over to Mossad like the Olympic assassins.
Trump did far more serious things on Israel’s behalf like moving the US Embassy to Jerusalem and literally marginalizing the Hamas and Iranian terrorists.
What Hunter Xiden said.
HX, Biden won't do it. You are entirely right about this.
And yet for some reason Trump did not pursue it.
Neither did Obama-Biden. Besides, Biden put Hamas and Iran back on a pedestal leading to the recent rocket attack on Israel.
Alas, you are, because no one has given you the censorship powers that you so ardently desire.
You still have your power to hurl pathetic insults though. So do carry on with that.
Joey will do nothing. No Jewish democrat will raise this as an issue. The only way this could possibly work is if Trump came out and said leave Tamimi be where she is. Don't even contemplate doing a stinkin extradition. Then Joey and the dems will maybe rush to do the opposite.
Trump did nothing.
Neither did Obama-Biden. Besides, Biden put Hamas and Iran back on a pedestal leading to the recent rocket attack on Israel.
I thought you said you were unsubscribing. Just an Idle threat?
So far.
You might as well since I’ve got your number and will not allow you to spread your vile anti-Trump and anti-Semitic bile here anymore.
Here’s the anti-Semite’s problem - Trump lives rent-free in his head which has been corrupted by the TDS pandemic.
Such a tragic story. Americans need to push for the right thing to be done.
What an unimaginable tragedy. How could one imagine the pain this family has experienced for 20 years. And her killer walks free treated like a rock star. And these are the people we're in bed with.
I hope Malki's family isn't waiting for President Biden to rouse himself to action. Maybe he'll appoint Kamala to spearhead this issue.
Godspeed.
Thank you for letting us know this story. I will pray for extradition. There are far too many stories of the glorification of terrorists. Hopefully, this story comes to an end soon.
I never thought I'd be standing up for the Biden administration, but here goes. I think we are losing the ability in America to see anything except through partisan lenses, and I don't think that is a good thing. As such, I have been disturbed by some of the comments on this piece. I voted for President Trump twice and was appalled at the horrendous and prejudiced reaction he received and continues to receive from the press and from Democrats (and from anti-Trumpers), including outright lies about his activities. I also love Israel and have children living there. The pain of parents like the Roths and so many others as terrorists are lauded and encouraged, and lately as American elected officials join in that adulation, is real and shared by all good people.
Having said that, the Israeli government makes its own decisions and among them are not giving terrorists like Tamimi the death sentence, knowing that there is a credible chance of them being released. The Israeli nation chose to do a hostage exchange and let her go free. Gilad Shalit was in my daily prayers for years. I would not have wanted to be responsible for choosing whether to save him or not at the expense of releasing terrorists to kill again- it was an excruciating choice.
All leaders, including Joe Biden (or those making decisions for him), have to calculate national interest vs. emotional tugs. America is a poorer country because so many of our legislators have voted and promote voting on emotions alone. The U.S. has a relationship with Jordan in a volatile region of the world. There is true hatred of Israel and of Jews in the Democrat Party as well as anti-Americanism. Nonetheless, as pained as I may be at the Sbarro bombing and as upset as I am at the lies told about Israel by her enemies, in this case I do not see non-action on the part of the Biden administration, should that be so, as proof of anything nefarious, just a sad acknowledgment of the limits of a presidency in a real world.
This is a very objective and reasonable comment. It’s not bogged down with partisan rhetoric. It also contains no silver lining. I agree that sadly, there is little to no chance that Biden will touch this issue.
Wow. I don't even know what to say. Sadly, I wouldn't expect the barely-sentient Joe Biden to pick up this case. And the advisors he surrounds himself with hate Israel as much as Tamimi. I dearly wish that weren't so.
Yeah, things were so much better for the Roths when Trump ignored them for four years ...
Please stop lying, anti-Semitic scum. There’s no evidence Trump knew anything about this. Unlike Obama and Biden, who have both sided with the Palestinian terrorists and emboldened Iran, Trump was the most openly pro-Jewish and pro-Israel president in history.
Since the issue comes up several times in this mostly partisan discussion, I want to clarify that my wife and I, Malki's parents, delivered personal letters to several senior White House figures after 2017. The actual results speak for themselves. Our revealing the details now won't achieve much.
We emphasized then and now that Tamimi is charged under US law (some of the comments here seem to have not noticed that aspect). And that there is a valid treaty requiring Jordan to extradite to Washington, one that Jordan waves off in a stunningly casual way.
Even before we obtained the document I mentioned in Bari's post, the one that resulted from us suing the State Dept in December 2020 under FOIA, it was clear to fair-minded observers that Jordan's refusal to hand the admitted bomber over to US prosecutors is based on a striking lack of good faith. The FOIA disclosure puts that beyond doubt.
We're not asking anyone for favors. Malki was a US citizen. US law applies to Malki's murder. Jordan has to extradite her. Since it has refused, the US ought to be raising its voice. It has a wide range of reasonable options.
As some of the comments here show, Jordan - the world's third largest recipient of US aid and a country characterized by widespread and massively antisemitic sentiment - is throwing sand in the direction of people's eyes. Sadly it's working for them.
To begin with, I’m so sorry for your loss. I can’t even imagine what you have been through.
May Malki R.I.P
I have no idea why your request was not dealt with in some form by the Trump administration.
I also have no idea why an unrepentant terrorist like Tamimi was included in the exchange by Israel, which is where your post-tragedy problem began.
I have no idea why Israel releases so many unrepentant terrorists in some sort of breast-beating symbolism and inexplicably emotional exchange for one soldier, leading to some of them killing more innocent Jews.
Releasing 1027 prisoners, including dozens of unrepentant terrorists for one soldier makes no sense at any level, at least to me. I find such an exchange to be reprehensible and inexplicable.
After the Munich Olympics almost every terrorist was held accountable. Why was Tamimi not turned over to Mossad for accountability? I think your daughter may have also been an Israeli citizen.
Finally, while sympathetic to your situation, I’m not going to allow anyone like this Trump-hating anti-Semite named Mark to dilute or denigrate what President Trump objectively did do for Israel, in spite of 70% of American Jews voting for Barack Obama, Hillary Clinton and Joe Biden - against Trump in the case of Clinton and Biden. These Democrats have caused nothing but death and destruction for Jews and Israel by emboldening Iran, funding the Palestinian terrorists and pushing for a two state solution which the Arabs have rejected since 1947 while refusing to accept Israel’s right to exist and vowing to wipe Israel off the map and kill Jews.
Israel can have no rational negotiating position in the face of such facts and so, funding the terrorists and emboldening their patron, Iran, is the worst thing the US can do to Israel, and yet it’s what the Democrats have been doing, even resuming after seeing how Trump marginalized Israel’s enemies.
May God bless you and your family as you deal with this inconsolable tragedy that you have suffered.
Mario,
First, thank you,
Nothing that has happened in the Ahlam Tamimi case since she appallingly walked free in the 2011 deal Israel did with Hamas reflects well on any political figure in Jordan, in the US and in Israel. Nor, with any exceptions at all, on the diplomats serving those countries. The blog my wife and I write together [http://thisongoingwar.blogspot.com/] has dozens of posts that explain and expand.
Being neither stupid nor excessively naive, we have zero interest in viewing any of this through a party-political lens. The comments on this page notwithstanding, this is about justice.
Thanks to the indefatigable Bari Weiss, we have now exposed the truth about the distorted narrative Jordan has allowed to be circulated. Our mission is do what it takes so that heads of state, diplomats and certainly the Missing in Action news industry restore justice to the center of this ongoing narrative where it certainly belongs,
Any other outcome is a disgrace.
All the best to you and your family. May you eventually succeed in bringing Tamimi to justice.
I would be doing the same in your shoes, other than perhaps primarily blaming Israel for the grossly unbalanced prisoner exchange that included so many unrepentant terrorists.
Had Israel not released so many unrepentant terrorists with no regard to any rational proportionality we wouldn’t be having this discussion.
Having said that, I believe you should continue to pressure the US and Jordan to extradite her and bring her to justice before she kills again!
Why are you blaming Biden’s advisers? It was Biden who decided to resume funding to the Palestinian terrorists and embrace Iran which Trump had marginalized.
The Roth's deserve justice and murderers to need to be held to account.
Still, the root of the problem is societal. In this case, it is Jordanian society, which seems to think murder is not just acceptable, but an actual celebrity career path. This is the root of so much evil and horror. This is not a "moderate" nation. It may not be the most extreme, but any place where murderers are held in high esteem, the nation is not an ally for much of anything.
Malki Roth. Say her name.
Malki Roth. Say her name.
Malki Roth. Say her name.
This is a tragedy beyond comprehension. Unfortunately there is no law that prevents Israel or USA governments from making deals with adversaries which include prisoner exchanges, and also no law preventing convicted terrorists being part of these exchanges, even those doing life without parole. Exceptions can be made. If Pres Biden heeds this heartfelt plea and pursues the matter either directly with the King of Jordan or indirectly through the State Department and diplomatic back-channels, it is unlikely that Jordan will play ball given the high stakes - Tamimi is a celebrity, her arrest and extradition would likely cause public uproar, the issue can be politicized by opponents of the King and his government, etc. Pres Biden will obviously not burn political capital trying to force the King to act on it, given the vast American business and military interests in Jordan that are too important to jeopardize. However hope springs eternal. Are there other families similarly affected who are still actively pursuing justice? A joint effort in these things can help.
Biden couldn’t care less. Helping would not benefit him in any way. He doesn’t operate by any other principle than self benefit.
Same with Trump. Why did this appeal to POTUS wait until Biden's election?
Neither did Obama-Biden. Besides, Biden put Hamas and Iran back on a pedestal leading to the recent rocket attack on Israel.
I hope Bari excuses me, but I wanted to share an article written about this about a year ago when I first heard of this. The article is a little more in-depth about the politics of the situation, arguably more accusatory of Bibi too.
https://www.timesofisrael.com/failed-by-israel-malki-roths-parents-hope-us-can-extradite-her-gloating-killer/
Times of Israel actually has quite a few articles about this I haven't seen since I read the one above, including Ahlam Tamimi's husband being deported to Qatar.
Jordan is on shaky ground...they're one of the few ME countries without an Arab Spring, yet. They have water and job issues. While it'd be nice to have Tamimi in an American jail, Israel doesn't want a civil war in Jordan either. It's unfortunate, but, perhaps ppl can find solace that Israel has a peaceful, relatively friendly, neighbor.
All terrorists must be behind bars. And NOT RELEASED for any deals.
Why was Tamimi not assigned to Mossad for accountability?
Also, I see in the comments that there is much discussion about who is more or less pro-Israel. Bush and Trump clearly were more Pro-Israel than the Ds. There is really no debate about that no matter how many jewish friends that hate Trump exist. Jews are not a monolith so there is diversity of opinion including Jews that fully support the Iran deal and dove-like attitudes toward Hamas. My point is a bit different, the Rs support Israel because the Evangelicals on the right (R supporters) blindly believe in the Jewish right to the Holy Land Premise as well as Rs recognizing correctly that it is the only western-style and Pro-US democracy in the area. The Ds meanwhile are so obsessed with Muslim pandering (civil rights!) mostly in response to Trump derangement syndrome along with inherent - (I think possibly genuine) - sympathy to the plight of: a) real life David vs Goliath or b) Hamas designed/choreographed victims of their own people to create world sympathy.
Bari - thank you and Arnold Roth for this moving, touching, and painful article. It speaks to the hopelessness of the situation in the Middle East. There is no doubt that Israel has suffered under the terrorist-aligned (at least) palestinian leadership. The disproportionate exchange of prisoners is telling. But I have a question/proposal for you. I do understand you manning the bulwarks against the leftist belief that Israel is to blame and that the PA are the victims - when it appears to be muslim based and anti-Israel. But in truth the people on both sides are victims. I understand the thinking that it seems more wrong on the palestinian side. But innocent children should not die - yes Hamas uses their own for that and Israel does not stoop to that. The original "sin" or "mistake" of the creation of the Israeli state in 1948, no matter how well-intentioned, was created by the western powers pushed along by zionist terrorist attacks against colonial rule and rightful holocaust sympathy. It annexed unofficial Arab land - even with a growing population of Jews since before 1900 due to Zionism. Zionists had design on the Holy Land for at least a half century before Israel creation - their motivation was understandable - except for the annexing. The allies response should have been handled better than it was. But this is all history and semi-irrelevant now. Israel's manner of creation cannot be undone. I have long believed that there is only one long-term solution to this mess and that is that Israel make significant concessions to create a palestinian state. That is a bitter pill, yes. But is it better for Israel to cling to more land, etc.- no matter how right it may feel or be - or continue this mess with no end in sight endlessly into the future? The annexing of palestinian settlements is wrong and should be stopped - it is making matters worse. Stop the Netanyahu expansionism. Israel should be seeking to give over land and rights - yes it will make it geo. smaller. But maybe as much as Israel claims that it should be recognized (and not be subjected to annihilation threats) palestinians /Arab majority states given the same recognition may create a lasting peace. It's worth a try - if it does not yield fruit return to the stalemate. To be clear, this is not John Kerry pie in the sky philosophy talking. The Iran deal was a disaster/embarrassment/risk increase and Israel (and the US) should continue to make use of unilateral bombing of nuclear/other facilities. I believe this should be done with North Korea also. Common sense says don't wait until the nuclear weapons are in existence - send bombers in asap. Is it an act of war - yes. Is it a long-term act of peace for humanity? Also, yes.
If this family cannot get justice, then the hunter-killers of Massad should be let off the leash. Remove this mass murderer from the face of the Earth.
Mossad.