The United States Supreme Court on Friday delivered a landmark unanimous 9-0 decision, clearing the path for American victims of terror attacks in Israel and Judea and Samaria to pursue damages against the Palestinian Authority (PA) and the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) in US federal courts, AFP reported.
This pivotal ruling overturns previous appellate court dismissals that had cited jurisdictional grounds, reigniting hopes for justice among American families affected by terrorism. The decision upholds the 2019 Promoting Security and Justice for Victims of Terrorism Act (PSJVTA), a law designed to subject the PA and PLO to US jurisdiction if they are found to have made payments to the relatives of individuals who killed or injured Americans.
In a significant legal victory for terror victims, Chief Justice John Roberts articulated the Court's rationale, stating, "The PSJVTA reasonably ties the assertion of federal jurisdiction over the PLO and PA to conduct that involves the United States and implicates sensitive foreign policy matters within the prerogative of the political branches."
This pronouncement reinforces the legislative intent behind the PSJVTA, which had faced challenges in lower courts on grounds of violating due process rights.
The ruling comes after years of legal battles, including a 2015 case where a jury awarded $655 million in damages and interest to US victims of attacks from the early 2000s. These lawsuits, previously stalled by jurisdictional disputes, can now move forward, offering a renewed avenue for accountability.
The family of terror victim Ari Fuld responded: "This groundbreaking ruling is an important message of justice! There are many dozens of American citizens who are victims of Palestinian terrorism, and until this ruling, they could not have their day in court."
"Miriam, widow of Ari may G-d avenge his blood, and their children pursued justice all the way to Washington in Ari's name, and in this important ruling of Fuld v. Palestinian Authority, the US Supreme Court decided that it will be possible to sue the PA for their support and involvement in terrorism. This ruling will be cited again and again in future rulings that will bring justice to the world and justice for victims of terrorism.
"Ari Fuld, of blessed memory, made a great impact in the world, dedicating his life to the State of Israel and the fight for truth and goodness. He saved lives when he fell and continues to shine the light of justice and morality in the world. The entire Fuld family thanks the US Supreme Court for this important ruling and rejoices in the justice that has been revealed." They also said that "the family will continue to spread Ari's light everywhere, always. This was Ari's mission, and it is everyone's mission."
In February, the PA announced its intention to stop payments to the families of terrorists who were either eliminated by Israel or are currently imprisoned in Israeli jails. However, PA chairman Mahmoud Abbas has been inconsistent in his statements—at times claiming he intends to end the “pay-to-slay” policy, only to later clarify that he has no such intention.
Abbas has in the past called the PA's continued payments to terrorists a "red line" that would not be halted under any circumstances.
(Israel National News' North American desk is keeping you updated until the start of Shabbat in New York. The time posted automatically on all Israel National News articles, however, is Israeli time.)