Israelis sue PA for $1.2bn compensation for 7 October 2023

More than 500 Israelis who claim to be victims of the events of 7 October 2023 have filed a lawsuit at the Central Court in Jerusalem demanding compensation of 4.5 billion shekels ($1.24 billion) from the Palestinian Authority, the Palestine Liberation Organisation (PLO), and Minister of Prisoners’ Affairs Qadura Fares. The lawsuit alleges they were directly and indirectly responsible for the attack and the events leading up to it.

According to Ma’an news agency, citing Israel’s Channel 13, the lawsuit claims that “Qadura Fares was responsible for overseeing financial payments to Hamas elite fighters and their families.”

The indictment refers to the alleged preparations by the Palestinian Authority and various PLO factions between 2018 and 2023, stating that these included joint training exercises in Gaza in coordination with the Al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades.

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The lawsuit also presents what it describes as “details of joint operations carried out by different factions in Gaza and how fighters received military training in educational institutions run by Hamas and funded by the Palestinian Authority.”

It further claims that Palestinian factions in Gaza established a “joint war room” and alleges that fighters “received military training in Palestinian educational institutions administered by Hamas and financed by the Palestinian Authority.”

The plaintiffs are requesting the court rule that “the Palestinian Authority, the PLO, and Qadura Fares bear direct and indirect responsibility for the events of 7 October” and to order them to pay 4.491 billion shekels in compensation to affected families and survivors, along with punitive damages.

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