Terror victims to 2nd Circuit: Let case vs PLO go to trial next month

[Disir]

The Palestinian Authority and the Palestinian Liberation Organization are scheduled to go to trial in federal district court in Manhattan next month to defend against claims by more than 40 U.S. citizens (or their survivors) who were injured or killed in attacks in Israel between 2000 and 2004. U.S. District Judge George Daniels has set jury selection to begin on Jan. 7 and opening statements to be presented on Jan. 13.

Defense lawyers at Miller & Chevalier have said that as much as $3 billion is at stake in the case, which was brought under the 1992 Anti-Terrorism Act. The Palestinian Authority and the PLO also said in a brief filed earlier this month that they are worried about press coverage of the trial because plaintiffs will portray them as financial enablers of Hamas attacks that killed or wounded dozens of civilians. On Wednesday, the defendants asked the 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals for an emergency stay, arguing that the case shouldn’t go before a jury until the 2nd Circuit has decided whether Judge Daniels even has authority to hear it.

According to the PLO and the Palestinian Authority, Daniels abused his discretion when he held that he has personal jurisdiction over them, despite the U.S. Supreme Court’s restrictive interpretation of jurisdiction in its 2014 decision in Daimler AG v. Bauman and the 2nd Circuit’s subsequent application of Daimler in Gucci America v. Bank of China. The defendants petitioned the 2nd Circuit for a writ of mandamus overturning Daniels’ findings on jurisdiction.

“As an important partner in the United States’ efforts to foster peace and security in the Middle East, the Palestinian Government should not be subjected to a lengthy, high-profile terrorism trial in the United States without appellate review of the district court’s patently erroneous decision,” the PLO and Palestinian Authority said in Wednesday’s stay motion.

But... but..but..

Let it go to trial.