A well-informed source has revealed that Jordanian authorities have ordered freed prisoner Ahlam Tamimi to leave the country immediately.
According to the source, Jordan’s intelligence agency has communicated with Hamas, informing them that Tamimi must depart the kingdom, despite holding Jordanian citizenship.
Who is Ahlam Tamimi?
Ahlam Tamimi, a Jordanian journalist born in Zarqa, Jordan, in 1980, gained prominence for her role in assisting the execution of a martyrdom operation at the Sbarro restaurant in occupied Jerusalem in 2001. Following the attack, she was arrested by the Israeli occupation forces and sentenced to 16 life terms in prison.
In 2011, she was released as part of the “Wafa al-Ahrar” prisoner exchange deal, which secured the release of Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit, and she was transferred back to Jordan.
US Extradition Request and Jordan’s Stance
In 2017, the United States requested Tamimi’s extradition for prosecution over her involvement in the Jerusalem operation. However, Jordan’s Court of Cassation, the country’s highest judicial authority, ruled against her extradition. The court determined that the extradition treaty between Jordan and the United States was not legally binding.
Targeting of Her Husband, Nizar Tamimi
Previously, Jordanian authorities had also ordered the expulsion of her husband, freed Palestinian prisoner Nizar Tamimi, after his residency permit expired. Nizar had been renewing his residency every three months, but upon its last expiration, Jordan refused to extend it and deemed him persona non grata. He was subsequently forced to leave for Doha, Qatar.
Implications and Reaction
The sudden decision to expel Ahlam Tamimi raises questions about Jordan’s political and diplomatic calculations. The move has sparked discussions regarding Jordan’s relationship with Palestinian resistance groups and its commitments to international pressure.
Observers continue to monitor how this forced expulsion will impact Jordan’s internal dynamics, its position on the Palestinian cause, and its relations with the United States and Israel.
