Overview

• The U.S. Supreme Court heard arguments on a 2019 law enabling Americans injured in terrorist attacks abroad to sue the Palestinian Authority (PA) and Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) in U.S. courts.
• Justices appeared split on the legal test to apply, with some emphasizing deference to Congress and the executive branch on national security matters.
• The PA and PLO argue the law violates their constitutional due process rights by imposing U.S. jurisdiction without sufficient connection to the United States.
• The Biden administration and plaintiffs, including families of terror victims, argue the law is essential for holding foreign entities accountable for harm to U.S. citizens.
• A decision is expected by June 2025, with potential implications for U.S. jurisdiction over foreign entities, international legal norms, and foreign policy dynamics.