U.S. court orders Palestine to pay $218 million to victims of attacks

New York, Feb 24 (EFE).- A New York federal court has ordered the Palestinian National Authority, PNA, and the Palestine Liberation Organization, PLO, to pay more than $218 million as damages to the victims of several attacks in Israel between 2002 and 2004.

On Monday, the court held the two bodies liable for planning and attacking the attacks, ruling in favor of a group of American victims who had filed the suit.

The amount could be tripled under federal terrorism laws applying to what the U.S. considers terrorist attacks.

The court documents reveal that the compensations in favor of each plaintiff vary from $1 million (which could go up to $3 million if the law is applied) to up to $25 million (which could go up to $75 million).

The verdict brings to an end a nearly decade-long legal battle that ended up in a Manhattan court this year.

The lawsuit was filed by more than 40 American victims of seven attacks around Jerusalem during the Second Intifada in which 33 people died and many others were wounded.

The plaintiffs relied on the 1991 Anti-Terrorism Act that allows U.S. victims of international terrorist attacks to lodge complaints in federal courts.

Both PNA and PLO have denied the charges of planning and executing the attacks.

They also said that U.S. courts did not have the jurisdiction to try events that occurred in the Middle East.

In a statement, the PNA said that it was disappointed by the decision and that it would appeal the verdict.

Meanwhile, Kent Yalowitz, the lawyer representing the plaintiffs, told reporters that the verdict had sent a clear message. "If you kill or injure Americans, the long arm of the American law will come after you."

Experts believe that the decision could open the door for more victims to file complaints against organizations thought to be behind those attacks.

Monday's verdict comes after a U.S. court found the Arab Bank liable for various attacks in Israel last year.