NY Court Sends 1st Terror Financing Case to Trial
Proceedings will give an unprecedented glimpse into how Hamas was funded over the past 10 years.
United States Eastern District of New York Judge Nina Gershon sent to trial late Wednesday a blockbuster terror financing case against major Jordanian financial institution Arab Bank - the first such case in US history.
In addition to setting major new binding precedents, the historic case could have a “meaningful impact on banks” that finance terror groups “for profit because they are indifferent [and treat these groups as] just another customer and don’t care,” said lead litigator Gary Osen.
“It will increase the risk for funding groups like Hamas and al-Qaida” and may change the conduct of “institutions and banks” that do business in “gray areas,” he continued.
Allegations involve the transfer of large funds to Hamas leadership, institutions and families of Hamas prisoners and “martyr”-suicide bombers via Saudi Arabia and Hezbollah’s al-Shahid Foundation.
Arab Bank had tried summary judgment, a last-ditch legal procedure, to avoid a trial, but the court largely rejected the motion, removing the last obstacle that was preventing the case from going to trial.
“For nine years, it’s been the stated goal of all of the plaintiffs to have the opportunity to get their day in court,” Osen said. “This is certainly not the end of the process, but it vindicates their right to [justice].”