Specter And 8 Senators: Let Lawsuits Against Palestinian Terrorists Stand

Reaction to the request by the PA that lawsuits by relatives of Americans killed by Palestinian terrorists be voided was not long in coming:

US senators appeal to Rice over anti-terrorist law

A group of US senators has written to Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice to urge the government not to sacrifice the interests of US citizens in favor of better relations with the Palestinians.

The issue centers on Palestinian demands to reverse payments awarded in US courts under anti-terrorist legislation to US victims of militant attacks.

Eight Senators have signed a letter drafted by Arlen Specter. According to Specter's website, the letter was signed by:

• Frank Lautenberg (D-N.J.)
• Sam Brownback (R-Kan.)
• Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa)
• Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.)
• Jack Reed (D-R.I.)
• Elizabeth Dole (D-N.C.)
• Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.)
• Ron Wyden (D-Ore.)

According to the letter:

"As members of the US Senate, we have a distinct interest in ensuring that the ATA (Antiterrorism Act) is enforced in a manner consistent with the spirit and intent of Congress," the group of cross-party senators wrote.

"We are concerned that as courts render judgements holding terrorists and sponsors of terrorist acts accountable under the ATA, political efforts to have our government intervene and unduly influence the courts may undermine verdicts imposed by independent arbiters."

The 1990 Antiterrorism Act gives US citizens and their families legal redress against militant groups and individuals through the US justice system.

"Victims who bring forth claims in good faith and win judgements against terrorists should not be thwarted in their efforts," the senators added.

[Hat tip: Hot Air Headlines]

Technorati Tag: Terrorism.