U.S. JUDGE REFUSES TO DISMISS TERROR FINANCE SUIT V. 2ND EURO BANK

U.S. Judge Refuses to Dismiss Terror Finance Suit vs French Bank (AP/International Herald Tribune)
For the second time in a week, a U.S. judge has refused to throw out a lawsuit accusing a European bank of knowingly providing financial services to charities allegedly controlled by a terrorist organization.

The ruling on Thursday by U.S. District Judge Charles P. Sifton in Brooklyn denied a defense motion by a French bank, Credit Lyonnais, to dismiss the suit brought by families of Americans who were victims of terrorist bombings and shootings in Israel between 2001 and 2003 that were linked to Hamas. Last week, Sifton denied a motion to dismiss a similar suit against a British bank, National Westminster Bank.

The suit - filed under the Anti-Terrorism Act - accuses Credit Lyonnais of improperly doing business with a French-based charity that has been designated a terrorist organization by the Israeli and U.S. governments. The plaintiffs allege the bank knew the charity was funneling millions of dollars to Hamas to finance terrorism.