RAMALLAH, September 1, 2016 (WAFA) – Prime Minister Rami Hamdallah commended Thursday the decision by the Second U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Manhattan to dismiss a $655 million verdict against the Palestinian Authority and the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO), finding that U.S. courts should not have exercised jurisdiction, according to a statement issued by Hamdallah’s office.

A number of American families had filed a multimillion dollar law suit in a New York federal court in 2004 against the Palestinian Authority and the PLO holding them responsible for the death of family members in attacks by Palestinians in the occupied territories and Israel between the years 2000 and 2002.

The court found the Palestinians liable and ordered them to pay $655 million in compensation.

The Palestinians appealed the ruling and the U.S. appeals court dismissed the lower court’s decision saying the US courts have no jurisdiction in such cases since the defendants are not found on U.S. soil.

"We are gratified with the court‘s just findings and we appreciate the efforts exerted by the Ministry of Finance, the legal team and all those who stood for justice and the Palestinian cause," Prime Minister Hamdallah said.

"Palestinians have suffered for too long under a brutal Israeli occupation. We hope for a just solution so people in Palestine and Israel can live in peace and harmony," he said. 

M.A.