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U.S. Requests Lower Bond for Palestinian Appeal of Terror Case

(New York Times) Benjamin Weiser - In February, the Palestinian Authority and the PLO were found liable for their role in six terrorist attacks in Israel from 2002 to 2004 that killed and injured Americans. The antiterrorism law under which the case was brought provided for the tripling of the jury's award of $218.5 million, leading to a total of $655.5 million. On Monday the Obama administration filed a formal "Statement of Interest of the United States of America" with the judge in the case. "The United States strongly supports the rights of victims of terrorism to vindicate their interests in federal court and to receive just compensation for their injuries," the Justice Department said. However, given that an appeal bond typically requires the posting of 111% of the judgment, Antony J. Blinken, the deputy secretary of state, said this requirement would deprive the PA of "a significant portion of its revenues" and "would likely severely compromise the PA's ability to operate as a governmental authority." Moreover, "a PA insolvency and collapse would harm current and future U.S.-led efforts to achieve a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict."
2015-08-11 00:00:00
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