US Senators McCain, Graham aim to fix JASTA
The Senators propose that foreign governments would only be held liable for terrorist attacks ‘if they knowingly engage with a terrorist organization’
Two US Republican Senators - Lindsey Graham and John McCain – proposed on Wednesday an amendment to the Justice Against Sponsors of Terrorism Act (JASTA) that was approved by the Congress in September.
JASTA has been thrusted into the limelight after Congress overrode US President Barack Obama’s veto of the potential bill. If passed, JASTA would allow US citizens to sue Saudi Arabia over the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.
The Senators propose that foreign governments would only be held liable for terrorist attacks “if they knowingly engage with a terrorist organization directly or indirectly, including financing,” Graham explained.
US-based news website Politico described the “fix” as a way to “narrow the law’s scope and reduce the likelihood that it would produce retaliatory suits against the United States.”
The news does not come as a surprise as many members of Congress believe if JASTA was implemented there could be negative repercussions faced by the United States.
In early October, an Iraqi group was pressing the country’s parliament to ask for US compensation in light JASTA.
-
GCC Shoura members condemn targeting of Makkah; reject JASTA
The meeting rejected the US Congress-drafted JASTA as a flagrant violation of the bases and principles of international relations Middle East -
Immunity for Saudi investments in US despite JASTA
The Governor of the Saudi Arabian Monetary Agency stressed that there would be no issues over the law on Saudi investments in the US Gulf -
JASTA and the roots of violence
Debates related to the ideological roots of terrorism and its breeding ground has reached unprecedented levels Opinion -
JASTA is an insult to all Arabs
all Arabs should react to JASTA by taking new legal actions so that the US and other international powers realize that Arabs have the ability to influence Middle East -
Kerry, Jubeir discuss ways to ‘fix’ JASTA
Saudi foreign minister said his country reserves the right to protect its border with Yemen and is committed to maintain ceasefire Middle East -
US treasury chief warns on 9/11 JASTA law during Saudi visit
JASTA allows attack survivors and relatives of terrorism victims to pursue cases against foreign governments in US federal court Middle East