A civil lawsuit filed by 11 families of American terrorist victims against the Palestinian Authority and Palestinian Liberation Organization can go to trial, a federal court ruled.

The U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York ruled Thursday that there was sufficient evidence to present to a jury concerning the involvement of the PA and PLO in attacks during the second intifada, between 2001 and 2004, that killed or injured American citizens.

In their suit filed in 2004, which is seeking $1 billion in damages, the families identified seven bombings and shootings that the P.A. and PLO provided material support and resources to carry out. The court found that a jury could hold the P.A. vicariously liable on six of the seven attacks.

Forwarding the News

Thoughtful, balanced reporting from the Forward and around the web, bringing you updated news and analysis each day.

Terms(Required)

I agree to the Forward's Terms of Service and Privacy Policy

Email(Required)

The suit was filed under the U.S. Antiterrorism Act, a law that permits U.S. citizens injured in terrorist attacks outside the United States to bring lawsuits in the American federal courts.

Barring a settlement, the trial — rare under the Antiterrorism Act — would begin in January.

Shurat HaDin, an Israeli legal group representing the families along with a New York firm, said in a news release that it will be the first opportunity for American terrorist victims to present evidence of the P.A.’s culpability for attacks that killed more 1,000 Israeli civilians.

A message from our CEO & publisher Rachel Fishman Feddersen

I hope you appreciated this article. Before you go, I’d like to ask you to please support the Forward’s award-winning, nonprofit journalism during this critical time.

Now more than ever, American Jews need independent news they can trust, with reporting driven by truth, not ideology. We serve you, not any ideological agenda

At a time when other newsrooms are closing or cutting back, the Forward has removed its paywall and invested additional resources to report on the ground from Israel and around the U.S. on the impact of the war, rising antisemitism and polarized discourse.

Readers like you make it all possible. Support our work by becoming a Forward Member and connect with our journalism and your community.

—  Rachel Fishman Feddersen, Publisher and CEO

Join our mission to tell the Jewish story fully and fairly.

$36 $500

$120 $180 Other amount