Netanyahu says US verdict against Palestinian Authority 'confirms responsibility for murderous terror attacks'

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reacted late Monday to the landmark ruling in US federal court, which found that the Palestinian Authority was liable for terrorist atrocities committed during the Second Intifada.

“The US federal court’s decision confirms the Palestinian Authority’s responsibility for murderous terrorist attacks committed during the previous decade,” the premier said in a statement to the press.

“Instead of drawing the appropriate conclusions, the PA is moving forward with steps that are a danger to regional stability like its hypocritical application to the International Criminal Court, this while it is involved in an alliance with the Hamas terror organization,” Netanyahu said. “We expect responsible players in the international community to continue and punish those who support terrorism, as the US federal court did, and to support the countries combating terrorism.”

“On this day, we remember the families who lost their loved ones,” the prime minister said. “Our hearts are with them, and there is no verdict that could comfort them.”

Yesh Atid chairman Yair Lapid praised the verdict against the Palestinian Authority in a Manhattan federal court on Monday, calling it a “just and historic decision.”

"This is a just and historic decision which sends a clear message - there is no immunity for terrorism and there can be no compromises when facing it,” Lapid said in a statement. “This is a clear warning to the Palestinian Authority - the world will not turn a blind eye to involvement in terror attacks and to the targeting of innocent civilians."

Last year, Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas signed applications for Palestinian membership in 20 international organizations and treaties, including the International Criminal Court.

Abbas’s move came in response to the failure of the Palestinian statehood resolution at the UN Security Council.

Palestinian leaders voted unanimously in favor of the decision to join international organizations and treaties.

Referring to the decision to join the ICC, Abbas said, “We want to file a complaint [against Israel]. We are being attacked. Our lands are being attacked every day. Who are we going to complain to? The Security Council has let us down. There’s an international organization and we’re going to it to complain.”