Surprise, Elation for O.C. Arab-Americans : Reaction: Word of Robert and Rochelle Manning’s arrest spread quickly. Some accused the U.S. of foot-dragging in its efforts to extradite them.

Leaders of the Arab-American community in Orange County reacted with surprise and elation Sunday when they heard of the reported arrests of Robert and Rochelle Manning.

Word of the arrest spread quickly among of the county’s chapter of the Arab-American Anti-Discrimination Committee (ADC), many of whom were attending an awards dinner in Costa Mesa when told of the reported arrest the couple, who have long been suspects in the killing of Alex Odeh.

“I’m pleased that justice has finally come,” said county ADC President Nadia Saad Bettendorf.

However, there were conflicting reports Sunday night over whether the Mannings had been arrested in connection with the Odeh case or a 1980 bombing in Manhattan Beach that left a woman dead.

The Mannings, U.S.-born immigrants to Israel, were arrested in the occupied West Bank on Sunday by Israeli authorities on the request of the U.S. government. Israel radio reported that U.S. authorities allegedly have new information in the bombing that killed Odeh in October, 1985, according to the British news agency Reuters, but an official of the Israeli Ministry of Justice said they were arrested in connection with the 1980 bombing.

Bettendorf, an honoree at the Orange County Human Relations Commission’s 20th Anniversary Awards Banquet Sunday, said news of the Mannings’ arrest caught her by surprise.

“I’m pleased that justice has finally come,” Bettendorf said. “It’s about time that they’re captured. They have been on the loose for too long.”

Other ADC members at the award ceremony also expressed elation at the news of the Mannings’ capture. However, a few accused the U.S. government of dragging its feet in its efforts to extradite the couple.

“Arrest? Really? Where are they?” asked one ADC member who declined to give her name. “When I see that (the Mannings) are brought back to the States and made to stand trial, then I’ll believe it.”

Although the dinner was given in honor of 18 county residents who have made outstanding contributions to the community, conversations among ADC members who came to congratulate Bettendorf were dominated by reminiscences of Alex Odeh and talk of his alleged killers.

“Their arrest is a good sign that maybe actions will now be taken in a case that has been dormant for years,” said Zac Sidawi, 54, a member of the ADC board of directors.

“The FBI has known the whereabouts of the couple for years, but it did not pressure Israel to extradite them,” added Manuel Tarsha, 49. “Maybe this will signal a positive change in U.S. policy.”

The Rev. Darrel Mayers, 56, a close friend and co-worker of Alex Odeh, still remembers the last time he saw his friend, “the day before he opened the door and the office exploded,” he said.

“Justice is finally being served,” Mayers said. “Hopefully, it will send a message out that the U.S. government does care about what happens to Arab-Americans.”