A US court ruled the PLO and the PA (Palestinian Authority) were the catalysts for a series of terrorist attacks in the early 2000s in Israel that killed or wounded several Americans, a US jury found Monday at a high-stakes civil trial.
Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu on Monday evening 4 Adar responded to the significant ruling by issuing the following statement to the press.
“The US federal court decision determines the responsibility of the Palestinian Authority for the murderous terrorist attacks of the previous decade. Instead of drawing the requisite lesson, the Palestinian Authority is advancing steps that endanger regional stability such as the hypocritical application to the International Criminal Court even as it is allied with the Hamas terrorist organization. We expect the responsible elements in the international community to continue to punish those who support terrorism just as the US federal court has done and to back the countries that are fighting terrorism. Today as well we remember the families that lost their loved ones; our heart is with them and there is no justice that can console them.”
(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)
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2 Responses
It was hardly a high stakes trial. For such a judgment to be collected the PLO would have to have assets in the US. No foreign country will enforce a political judgment any more than the US courts would enforce a judgment from an Arab court against the United Jewish Appeal for supporting zionist aggression (as the Arabs see it).
In addition the PLO/Palestinian Authority is insolvent and likely to remain so. In addition, if they are a government, sovereign immunity applies, and if they are a criminal organization they really aren’t subject to being sued.
This was a big publicity stunt with no legal ramificiation.
Akuperma,
I don’t believe you are right on this one. The PA receives a few hundred million a year FROM THE USA. It is that money the US court ruling can be enforced against.
Regarding your thoughts on whether it is a government or not; that was itself a significant piece in this case. So apparently the court decided in the matter.