Flatow Family lawsuit leads to other cases

On Tuesday, July 2, 2014, The New York Times featured us in a front page story (below the fold). 

The story which can be read here, outlines how the family lawsuit, Flatow v. Islamic Republic of Iran, eventually led New York City prosecutors and, eventually, the United States Attorney in Manhattan, to track down the illegal flow of money through a French bank, BNP Paribas, in violation of American law.  The result, a whopping multi-billion fine paid by BNP to avoid further prosecution.

In the scheme of things, the fine is meaningless.  What has to happen in these cases is that the faceless mandarins who designed the scheme that led to the illegal transfers have to be personally held accountable.

Until that happens, BNP and others, will conduct business as usual and their profits will continue to soar.

That's what I think.

From Frida Ghitis; Pope Francis’ journey for peace, reconciliation

Sometimes I think I'm the one who has lost sight of things.  Amid all the chest thumping arising from the Palestinians and the moaning from the Israelis following Pope Francis' visit to Israel and the disputed territories, I thought the gist of the pope's visit was lost.

To my way of thinking, the pope did the best job he could  of accommodating the needs of Israelis and Palestinians.

At the Terror Victims Memorial I noticed that the pope put his hand on a plaque just a few feet from the one that contains the name Alisa Flatow.

Frida Ghitis' thoughtful article should be read.  Here's the link.

Pope Francis’ journey for peace, reconciliation - Other Views - MiamiHerald.com

Well, that's what I think.

Stephen M. Flatow

Five years later, USF professor Sami Al-Arian's terrorism case in limbo

It's hard to believe but admitted terror sponsor Sami Al-Arian is still in the United States.  Rather than issue a decision in his trial for criminal contempt for refusing to cooperate in a terror investigation, the judge has, shall we say charitably, delayed her decision for FIVE years.  Crazy no?

In any event, terror supporter Al-Arian, while semi-restricted in his movements is still a free man unlike the people murdered in cold blood by Palestinian Islamic Jihad including my daughter, Alisa Flatow.

Five years later, USF professor Sami Al-Arian's terrorism case in limbo | Tampa Bay Times

Taking care of terror victims

I came across this story about the private Israeli-run Adopt a Family Foundation that "adopts" a family that has been victimized by terror.  It often takes a terror victim to know what's needed in the aftermath.

Emotional fundraiser supports terror victims in Israel - San Diego Jewish World

Iran is still on the list of "State Sponsors of Terrorism"

One of the key components of a US citizen's lawsuit against a foreign country is a determination by the State Department that the country is a "state sponsor of terrorism."  This has been in place since the adoption in 1996 of the Anti-terrorism and Effective Death Penalty Act of that year.  Indeed, it gave our family the grounds to purse the Iranian government for being the sponsor of the terror group that murdered Alisa in April 1995.

It should come as no surprise to those who follow these events that the Islamic Republic of Iran is again on the list of state sponsors of terrorism.

To read more about the designation, go to this report on the State Department's website -
Country Reports on Terrorism 2013 State Sponsors of Terrorism Overview



Stephen M. Flatow