Palestinian authorities seek Supreme Court relief to pause $656 million judgment for American victims of Israeli attacks
The Palestine Liberation Organization and the Palestinian Authority have filed an emergency appeal with the U.S. Supreme Court to halt a $656 million judgment. The ruling was issued in a long-running lawsuit involving American citizens who were injured or killed during attacks in Israel in the early 2000s. While a lower court reinstated the damages in March 2026, the Palestinian authorities argue that immediate payment would strain government resources and jeopardize regional security. The legal battle stems from a 2019 law revision that allowed American victims to sue international Palestinian groups on U.S. soil. The Palestine Liberation Organization and the Palestinian Authority are seeking a pause in payment while they continue to argue their case. The lawsuit was originally filed under the Anti-Terrorism Act, which was designed to open U.S. courts to victims of international terror attacks. The Palestinian authorities are preparing a full petition for review to determine the finality of the award.