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Terror without finance: Lawyer targets terror groups' economic infrastructure for Oct. 7 victims

From Jerusalem Post · (39m ago) English

Translated from English, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

TLDR

  • A lawyer representing victims of the October 7 Hamas attack is pursuing civil litigation to target the financial infrastructure that enables terrorism.
  • Gideon Fisher stated that terror groups cannot survive without money, and legal action can strike at their economic foundations.
  • Recent US court rulings have provided a clearer jurisdictional basis for such terrorism claims against entities like the PLO and PA.

The Jerusalem Post is committed to exploring all avenues for justice for victims of terrorism. Our legal correspondent Sarah Ben-Nun reports on attorney Gideon Fisher's innovative approach, which moves beyond simply identifying perpetrators to dismantling the financial networks that fund terror. Fisher's strategy, focusing on terrorist financing, is not merely about compensation for victims and bereaved families; it's about striking at the "economic bunker" of terror groups.

This legal front gains significant traction following recent US Supreme Court decisions, such as Fuld v. PLO. These rulings, particularly under the Promoting Security and Justice for Victims of Terrorism Act, have clarified jurisdictional grounds for pursuing claims against entities like the Palestine Liberation Organization and the Palestinian Authority. This is a crucial development, as past judgments have often been overturned due to difficulties in establishing US court authority over such defendants.

Terror without finance, there is no terror.

— Gideon FisherFisher explains his core argument that financial support is essential for terrorist organizations to operate.

Fisher's firm, which has been approached by over 2,000 recognized victims of hostile acts since October 7, emphasizes that they work exclusively with individuals already recognized by the National Insurance Institute. This rigorous vetting process ensures a focused and impactful approach. The firm's assembled international team of legal, intelligence, and financial specialists underscores the complexity and global nature of combating terrorist financing. This case highlights Israel's ongoing struggle against terrorism and its determination to find comprehensive solutions, extending beyond the battlefield to the courtroom.

litigation can be used not only to seek damages, but to strike at what he described as terror’s “economic bunker.”

— Gideon FisherFisher elaborates on the dual purpose of civil litigation in his strategy: compensation and disrupting terror funding.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Jerusalem Post in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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