Supreme Court Reinstates Terror Suits Against Palestinians

The U.S. Supreme Court unanimously reinstated lawsuits by American victims of terrorist attacks in Israel and the West Bank against the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) and the Palestinian Authority. The decision upholds the 2019 Promoting Security and Justice for Victims of Terrorism Act, which enables such lawsuits in U.S. courts. The cases concern attacks from the early 2000s and a 2018 stabbing, with plaintiffs pursuing damages under the Anti-Terrorism Act of 1992. Lower courts had previously dismissed these cases on jurisdictional and constitutional grounds, but the Supreme Court ruled that the 2019 law does not violate the due process rights of the Palestinian entities. The ruling strengthens the ability of American victims to seek justice for overseas attacks tied to Palestinian groups. Palestinian officials have opposed these lawsuits, but U.S. law and the Supreme Court now provide a legal avenue for victims.