Sbarro bombing 25 years later: An unhealed wound in Israel

Twenty-five years ago, the Sbarro pizzeria in Jerusalem became a scene of unimaginable horror. A suicide bombing on August 9, 2001, claimed the lives of 16 people, including eight children and five members of a single family. Another victim was a pregnant woman visiting from New Jersey. The attack, which injured 130 others, remains a deep wound for Israel.

The bombing occurred at a busy intersection in the heart of Jerusalem, a popular spot for Israelis and tourists. The terrorist detonated a bomb packed with nuts, bolts, and nails, designed to inflict maximum casualties on the adults and children inside the crowded restaurant.

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The only reason I’m involved in this is because my daughter was murdered and the murderer has been free all these years.

While the Sbarro bombing was not the deadliest attack of the Second Intifada or even of 2001, its impact on the victims' families is profound and enduring. For Arnold Roth, whose daughter Malki was killed, the passage of time has not diminished the pursuit of justice. "The only reason I’m involved in this is because my daughter was murdered and the murderer has been free all these years," Roth told The Times of Israel.

One of the perpetrators, Ahlam Tamimi, walked away from the attack and has resided in Jordan for over a decade. Roth and his wife have spent 15 years seeking her extradition and prosecution, a struggle that has become more challenging in recent years. Their grief was compounded by the loss of a son-in-law in Gaza following Hamas's October 7, 2023, attack.

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It’s unthinkable to me that we’re still fighting for justice for a child who was murdered in broad daylight.