A group of October 7 survivors are suing Al-Jazeera in a US court, claiming that the network provided “substantial assitance” to Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad.
The case was filed to the federal court in Washington by dozens of victims of the attacks, including Morris Schnaider, the uncle of Shiri Bibas, who was murdered in Hamas captivity along with her two children, Kfir and Ariel.
The claimants are bringing the suit based on American counter-terror laws, accusing the Qatari channel of knowingly assisting Hamas to spread propaganda, recruit activists and incite violence.
Schnaider, the brother of Shiri's mother, Margit Silberman, who was murdered along with her husband Yossi in Nir Oz, said: "The cruel murder of Shiri, Kfir and Ariel by terrorists from Gaza is an inconceivable atrocity that has destroyed our family forever, and has caused pain to millions of good people around the world.
"The kidnapping and barbaric murder of toddlers is unimaginable; only pure evil can see a child as a threat or enemy...We can never erase from our minds their suffering and the torture they endured before their deaths at the hands of terrorists. No person with a shred of humanity could.
"Though no legal action can stop the pain and trauma of losing our family members in this way, we are determined to achieve justice and bring those responsible for these abhorrent crimes to justice."
The survivors are being represented by Nitsana Darshan-Leitner, president of the Israel Law Center, who will cite research conducted by attorney Jordan Cope from Stand With Us. The claim alleges that Al-Jazeera employed several Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad activists as journalists.
Additionally, the suit highlights exclusive interviews conducted by Al-Jazeera with Hamas leaders, including those who carried out attacks against Israeli and American civilians and is also directed at Al Jazeera's US subsidiary, claiming it played a direct role in supporting Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad.
The JC has contacted Al-Jazeera for comment.
