Originally Posted: 09 Sep 2008 06:39 AM CDT
Via NYTimes:
The family of American Aharon Ellis, killed by a Palestinian Authority security officer who attacked a bat mitzvah celebration in Israel in 2002, charged the PLO and the PA in U.S. federal court with orchestrating the shooting that killed him. The suit was brought under a law that allows American victims of international terrorism to sue for triple damages. A federal judge awarded the family a default judgment of $192.7 million in damages after the PLO and PA refused to defend the suit on the merits. But now the Palestinians, holding themselves out as a partner in the Middle East peace process, have changed lawyers, and asked the judge for a second chance.
The judge, Victor Marrero of Federal District Court in Manhattan, has agreed to set aside the judgment and give them that chance. But there’s a catch. He is requiring the Palestinians to post a bond of $192.7 million so that if they lose again, the damages would be paid.