A law making it easier for 9/11 families to sue Saudi Arabia is now being used to go after Israel, Politico reported.
Congress overrode a veto by then-President Barack Obama last year to clear the way for the law. And now a lawsuit has been filed claiming Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, along with U.S. charities tied to Donald Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner and the president's Israel ambassador pick David Friedman are complicit in war crimes against Palestinians, according to the website.
The lawsuit cited their financial support for settlement activity in the West Bank.
The case, filed by attorney Martin McMahon, named about three dozen plaintiffs including Palestinians, Palestinian Americans and Jewish Americans.
"We allege that the U.S. defendants and Netanyahu have been frustrating the implementation of the two-state solution for years." McMahon is quoted by Politico.
Kushner is not named as a defendant, but the Kushner Family Foundation, which reportedly helps fund Israeli settlements in disputed territories is listed, according to the website.
Critics had claimed the Saudi-target law could open the door to legal claims which could actually bring the U.S. into court — even on questionable grounds.
No evidence was uncovered by U.S. investigators tying senior Saudi officials to the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks. But some families of the victims, believing there is more to uncover, have looked to the courts for help.
However, their legal efforts were stymied because U.S. law generally had forbidden lawsuits against foreign governments.
But the recently passed law, known as the Justice Against Sponsors of Terrorism Act, or JASTA, allows lawsuits against foreign states and not just Saudi Arabia. The court cases are permitted for terrorist attacks taking place in the U.S. and carried out by designated foreign terrorist groups, Politico reported.
Sean Carter, a lawyer involved in the Sept. 11 families legal battle with Saudi Arabia, doubted whether the latest lawsuit will succeed. He said "there is not even a claim against a foreign state, let alone a claim for a terrorist attack on U.S. soil.
"I expect it will be quickly dismissed, assuming it is not voluntarily withdrawn," Carter is quoted by Politico.
But in a column for The Hill, attorney Joshua Claybourn added the new lawsuit will convince others to "insert themselves in American foreign policy" and other nations will target America with "renewed vigor."
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