A unanimous Supreme Court decision allows American victims of Palestinian terrorist attacks — and their families — to seek justice in U.S. courts. The ruling revives long-stalled cases against the Palestinian Authority and PLO, accusing them of financing terror.
Key Facts:
- The Supreme Court ruled unanimously that the Palestinian Authority (PA) and Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) can be sued in U.S. courts by American victims of terrorism.
- Congress passed the Promoting Security and Justice for Victims of Terrorism Act (PSJVTA) in 2019 to allow such lawsuits under specific conditions.
- The law targets practices like the PA’s “Pay for Slay” program, which compensates terrorists and their families.
- The case of Ari Fuld, an American-Israeli citizen fatally stabbed in 2018, was among those revived by the ruling.
- A previous $655 million judgment in favor of 11 American families had been overturned but now stands a chance to be reasserted.
The Rest of The Story:
The Supreme Court’s ruling overturns a lower court decision that claimed the PSJVTA violated the Fifth Amendment’s Due Process Clause.
The Court disagreed, stating Congress can provide a way for American victims of terrorism to sue foreign groups when their actions are connected to U.S. interests.
The law permits jurisdiction over the PA and PLO if they’ve either financially supported terrorism — such as paying convicted terrorists — or if they’ve engaged in actions within U.S. borders.
“The Federal Government may craft a narrow jurisdictional provision ensuring Americans injured or killed by acts of terror have an adequate forum,” the ruling states.
Two high-profile cases led to this decision.
One involved Ari Fuld, a dual U.S.-Israeli citizen murdered in 2018 by a 17-year-old Palestinian terrorist whose family was later rewarded by the PA.
The other case involved 11 American families impacted by deadly attacks in Israel from 2002 to 2004, including a Jerusalem shooting and a bus bombing that killed civilians.
Commentary:
This is a landmark legal victory for families who have waited far too long for justice.
For years, the victims of Palestinian terror attacks have faced endless legal hurdles, only to see their cases tossed aside on technicalities.
Now, with this Supreme Court ruling, they finally have a legitimate path forward.
The decision also serves as a powerful statement against the Palestinian Authority’s “Pay for Slay” policy — a gruesome practice where terrorists are rewarded for murdering innocents.
The fact that the PA offers lifetime payments to terrorists’ families shows exactly where their priorities lie.
It’s not with peace.
It’s with perpetuating bloodshed.
The victims and their families deserve their day in court.
Whether they win financial judgments or not, they now have the opportunity to hold these terror-funding entities accountable under U.S. law.
That alone is a moral win.
Still, collecting damages is another battle entirely.
Even if U.S. courts issue judgments, the PA and PLO aren’t likely to write checks anytime soon.
And even if they were willing, their assets are limited and protected in many cases.
Justice, in this sense, may be more symbolic than material.
This moment also exposes the deeper issue: the failure of the peace process.
The Palestinians have been offered deals and compromises for decades.
Each time, their leadership has rejected them, choosing violence over statehood.
That’s not the behavior of a government ready for sovereignty — that’s the conduct of a regime bent on perpetual conflict.
It’s time to admit what’s been evident for years: the current Palestinian leadership is not serious about peace.
They’re not acting in the interest of their people.
They’re not stateworthy.
Every time they’ve had a choice between nation-building and terrorism, they’ve chosen terror.
There are few clear solutions, but continuing to legitimize a government that funds terrorism is not one of them.
If anything, this ruling should serve as a wake-up call to U.S. policymakers to stop treating the PA like a normal diplomatic partner.
It isn’t.
The Bottom Line:
The Supreme Court’s decision gives American victims of Palestinian terrorism a fresh chance to seek justice in U.S. courts.
This is a strong legal and symbolic step forward for families who have suffered unimaginable loss.
While collecting damages may be difficult, the ruling puts the Palestinian Authority’s actions under a much-needed spotlight.
Justice may be slow, but it is moving.
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