Israeli victims of terrorism sue Arab Bank
It looks like there's a breakthrough in this affair too. From CBS News:
(CBS/AP) Families of U.S. citizens killed or hurt in terrorist attacks in Israel have filed an $875 million lawsuit against Arab Bank, accusing it of channeling money to Palestinian terrorist groups and making insurance payments to beneficiaries of suicide bombers.The Counterrorism Blog says that the case can now move into its long-awaited trial phase, thanks to a ruling by Judge Nina Gershon, and has more information on what went on.
"The Arab bank has been distributing monies to suicide bombers or the families of suicide bombers," said Israeli-American Rabbi Seth Mandel, whose teenage son was killed by Palestinian militants.
The lawsuit, filed Friday in federal court in the Eastern District of New York, claims the bank's New York branch laundered Saudi aid to terrorists. The branch first converted the money into dollars and then sent it to local branches in the West Bank and Gaza Strip where it was paid out to terrorists and terrorist organizations, the suit alleges.
The bank also worked with Hamas and the Palestinian Islamic Jihad to distribute insurance money to beneficiaries of suicide bombers, including their families and those wounded or captured by Israeli security forces, the lawsuit alleges.
"We have a mountain of evidence that will prove that the bank not only knows about the terror financing, but is actively involved and using its New York branch to launder the money," Mark Werbner, the lead attorney for the families, said in a statement Tuesday.
Labels: House of Saud, Israel, jihad, terrorism, United States, war on terror
