# US Supreme Court judgment against Palestinian Authority

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/us-supreme-court-judgment-against-palestinian-authority
> Updated: 2026-08-03T20:42:58.000Z. Sources: 8. Developments: 2.

In late July 2026 the Palestinian Authority and the Palestine Liberation Organization filed an emergency petition with the U.S. Supreme Court seeking a stay of a $656 million judgment stemming from a U.S. civil lawsuit by American victims of early‑2000s attacks in Israel. They argued that immediate payment would cripple essential West Bank services and threaten regional stability.

A few days later, on 3 August 2026, the Court, in a per‑curiam order, denied the request and left the judgment in place, allowing enforcement of the award against the Palestinian Authority and the PLO. Palestinian officials reiterated concerns that the payment would destabilize governance and essential public services in the territory.

## Claims

- The Supreme Court issued a per curiam order and did not refer the case to the full court. (disputed by 3 sources)
- The Supreme Court upheld the 2019 law in a 9‑0 decision in June 2025. (disputed by 3 sources)
- Justice Sonia Sotomayor denied an emergency request to halt a $655.5 million judgment against Palestinian authorities. (corroborated by 3 sources)
- The judgment orders the Palestinian Authority and the PLO to pay damages to American plaintiffs for attacks in Israel from 2002 to 2004. (corroborated by 3 sources)
- The 2019 Promoting Security and Justice for Victims of Terrorism Act allows U.S. lawsuits against Palestinian entities for attacks on Americans. (corroborated by 3 sources)
- The 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals reinstated the judgment in March 2026. (corroborated by 3 sources)
- Palestinian authorities claim that paying the judgment would destabilize West Bank government services. (corroborated by 3 sources)
- The original lawsuit was filed by American victims of Jerusalem attacks that killed 33 people and wounded hundreds. (corroborated by 3 sources)

## Timeline

### 2026-08-03: US Supreme Court Refuses to Halt $656 Million Judgment Against Palestinian Authority

Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor refused to halt a $656 million judgment against the Palestinian Authority, leaving the award for U.S. victims of 2002‑04 Israel attacks in place.

6 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/us-supreme-court-refuses-to-halt-656-million-judgment-against-palestinian-authority

### 2026-07-30: Palestinian Authorities Seek US Supreme Court Pause on $656 Million Judgment

Palestinian Authority and PLO petitioned the US Supreme Court to stay a $656 million judgment from a terror‑law suit over early‑2000s Jerusalem attacks, saying payment would destabilize West Bank services and

4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/palestinian-authorities-seek-us-supreme-court-pause-on-656-million-judgment

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Cite as: US Supreme Court judgment against Palestinian Authority. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/us-supreme-court-judgment-against-palestinian-authority