Jerusalem - Israel's highest court ruled in a surprise decision yesterday that a Jewish man wanted for murder should not be returned to the United States to face trial.
Mr Samuel Sheinbein (18), from Maryland, will face trial in Israel under a Supreme Court ruling that Israeli officials were quick to defend against potential criticism from Washington. The US Secretary of State, Ms Madeleine Albright, had personally urged Israel to hand over the man.
The Israeli Prime Minister's office said in a statement: "We hope and are sure that the United States, as an enlightened state of law, will accept the ruling of the Israeli Supreme Court which is known as independent and apolitical."
The five-judge decision, by a 3-2 margin, overturned a lower court ruling from September clearing the way for Mr Sheinbein's extradition. He had appealed to the higher court, claiming Israeli citizenship barred him from being forced to leave.