Justice Done
Suit against Cat over Israeli bulldozing dismissed
(Reuters) — Saying its role was not to criticize U.S. policy toward Israel, an American federal appeals court dismissed a lawsuit on Monday charging that Caterpillar Inc. bulldozers aided killing and torture in the Palestinian territories.
Relatives of 16 Palestinians and one American killed or injured by Israeli demolitions sued the heavy construction machine manufacturer. They alleged that by selling bulldozers used to demolish Palestinian homes, Caterpillar was responsible for war crimes, cruel and inhumane punishment and other violations.
The U.S. government paid for the bulldozers, which were transferred to the Israel Defense Forces. The IDF sometimes uses engineering vehicles in operations aimed at curbing Palestinian militant activity.
A lower court dismissed the suit and the San Francisco-based 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals backed that decision, saying that to render a judgment on the matter would interfere with American foreign policy...
(Reuters) — Saying its role was not to criticize U.S. policy toward Israel, an American federal appeals court dismissed a lawsuit on Monday charging that Caterpillar Inc. bulldozers aided killing and torture in the Palestinian territories.
Relatives of 16 Palestinians and one American killed or injured by Israeli demolitions sued the heavy construction machine manufacturer. They alleged that by selling bulldozers used to demolish Palestinian homes, Caterpillar was responsible for war crimes, cruel and inhumane punishment and other violations.
The U.S. government paid for the bulldozers, which were transferred to the Israel Defense Forces. The IDF sometimes uses engineering vehicles in operations aimed at curbing Palestinian militant activity.
A lower court dismissed the suit and the San Francisco-based 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals backed that decision, saying that to render a judgment on the matter would interfere with American foreign policy...
posted by Oroborous at 12:07 AM
7 Comments:
The suit itself was insignificant. You'll find plenty just as silly, if not as politically and racially charged, in your local courthouse.
What was significant was the amicus briefs. I have not got access to the briefs themselves, but the titles of the filers (listed at Volokh) strongly hint what the content would be.
Speaking of politically motivated lawsuits, Elliot Spitzer is using securities laws to charge utilities that have plans to open new coal fired power plants with not disclosing the liability risks inherent in operating a business that adds to the threat of global warming.
Hasn't he burned up all his credibility yet?
If he were clever, he'd sue them for unmonitored release of radioactivity, many times more than a nuclear power plant generates.
I'm sorry, it's not Eliot Spitzer, its Andrew Cuomo - the Elliot Spitzer wannabe.
This comment has been removed by the author.
Well that was smart,
They sued the company when it was the U.S. goverment that paid for the bulldozers in the first place. When you stand back and look at it, it was the U.S. goverment that should be blamed not the company.
Lumpy, blamed? For what?
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