U.S. Student Held in Israel Terror Attacks

NEW YORK — An American law student accused of driving a getaway car during a terrorist attack in Israel that injured six Arabs was arrested at a suburban campus, authorities said today.

Craig Arthur Leitner, 24, who was arrested Wednesday, is wanted in Israel on charges of planning and carrying out several terrorist acts against Arabs, according to U.S. Marshal Victor Oboyski.

Leitner, who Oboyski alleged was “affiliated with the Jewish Defense League,” was held on a warrant issued June 6, charging him with crimes that violate a U.S. treaty with Israel.

Leitner was arrested by federal marshals without incident in a dormitory at Pace University’s White Plains campus, where he is studying law, Oboyski said.

U.S. Magistrate Shira Scheindlin ordered Leitner held for up to 60 days, until Israel files a formal extradition request.

Leitner and four others were accused of several terrorist acts, including an attack near Ramallah on March 4, 1984, in which six Arab civilians were injured when the bus they were riding was sprayed with M-16 rifle fire.