PMW Bulletin
Feb. 24, 2015
Historic verdict against PA in lawsuit by terror victims
http://www.palwatch.org/main.aspx?fi=157&doc_id=14100

by Itamar Marcus and Nan Jacques Zilberdik
p:+972 2 625 4140 e: pmw@palwatch.org
f: +972 2 624 2803 w: www.palwatch.org

Palestinian Media Watch welcomes yesterday's verdict in the lawsuit by 10
American families who are all victims or related to victims of Palestinian
terror. PMW played an important role in the case, working with the lawyers
of Arnold & Porter (US-based) and Shurat Hadin (Israel-based) for two years
preparing the lawsuit for trial.

The families sued the Palestinian Authority for damages, saying that the PA
was responsible for the terror attacks in which they were personally injured
or their relatives were killed. Yesterday, the US court ruled that the PA is
financially liable for $655 million in damages for involvement in those
terror attacks.

PMW submitted two expert opinions to the court as well as hundreds of
certified translations and PA TV videos showing PA promotion of terror from
2000 - 2004 (the period relevant for this trial).

In addition, PMW provided documentation of the PA's support for terror and
acceptance of responsibility after the terror attacks. PMW showed that the
PA celebrates terror attacks and rewards terrorists with high salaries and
other benefits, including some of the terrorists involved in the specific
terror attacks of this lawsuit.

PMW also supplied material documenting that the PA to this day continues to
pay salaries to all terrorist prisoners, including terrorist prisoners
involved in the terror attacks connected to the trial. The lead trial
lawyer, Kent Yalowitz of Arnold & Porter, said: "The PA and PLO policies of
financial inducements and rewards for terrorism that are at the center of
this case unfortunately continue today, more than a decade later."
[Jerusalem Post, Feb. 24, 2015]

Yalowitz also focused on the ethical side of the victory:

"I am truly privileged to have had the opportunity to represent these
amazing families and join them in their quest for justice against those who
have devastated their lives forever."
[Jerusalem Post, Feb. 24, 2015]

PMW shares these sentiments. Having monitored, documented, and reported to
governments and the media on the PA's direct promotion of murder of
Israelis, glorifying and rewarding of the terrorists with high salaries, PMW
is gratified to have been a part of this important fight for justice.