Bereaved relatives of Palestine attack victims sue Facebook demanding $1 bln in damages

Relatives of four Israeli-U.S. dual nationals and one visiting U.S. citizen who died in the attacks in Tel Aviv, Jerusalem, or the occupied West Bank between 2014 and 2016, accused Facebook of helping Hamas militants operate, and would seek $1 billion in damages from the social media giant for alleged complicity.

The group of Israelis and Americans has filed a suit in the United States against the social media giant in this regard. The lawsuit follows censure from Israel’s security minister where he implied that the company was reluctant to help track potential Palestinian militants and curb incitement to violence. In response, Facebook defended its regulations against online abuse and issued a formal statement.

The lawsuit, filed with the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York, argued the platform “knowingly provided material support and resources to Hamas…facilitat(ing) this terrorist group’s ability to communicate, recruit members, plan and carry out attacks, and strike fear in its enemies.”

Hamas is designated a terrorist organization by the United States. The lawsuit was brought under the Anti-Terrorism Act of 1992, which prohibits American businesses from providing any material support, including services, to designated terrorist groups and their leaders.