9/11 victims’ families challenge Saudi Arabia in appeals court hearing

9/11 victims’ families challenge Saudi Arabia in appeals court hearing The appeals judges seemed unsure exactly how they would respond to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia's claims that it should be dismissed as a defendant on sovereign immunity grounds - Bookmark - CommentsGo to comments Become an Independent member to bookmark this article Already a member? Log in An appeals courtroom was filled to the brim with family members of victims of the 9/11 terrorist attacks as three judges heard arguments over whether legal claims against Saudi Arabia can proceed on Wednesday. The New York City judges revealed through questioning that there still appear to be many legal issues that need to be decided in the lawsuit, despite it being dragged on for nearly a quarter-century. The judges didn't say when they might rule on whether claims can proceed to trial alleging that Saudi Arabia provided aid to at least two of the 19 men who hijacked planes and crashed them into the World Trade Center, the Pentagon and a Pennsylvania field that day. Still, Terry Strada, whose husband Tom Strada was killed in the attacks, said she was encouraged that more than 100 family members of 9/11 victims turned out and by the judges' questions. “It really was a good day for us,” she said afterward. “The judges asked really meaningful questions and hammered the Saudi attorneys and didn’t let up. They weren’t buying what the Saudis were selling.” Hundreds of victims’ relatives and injured survivors, along with insurance companies and businesses claim in lawsuits that employees of the Saudi government knowingly assisted the hijackers and other plotters and fueled al-Qaida’s development into a terrorist organization by funding charities that supported them. Some defendants, including Iran, the Taliban and al-Qaida, have already been found in default. On Wednesday, lawyers from both sides were questioned repeatedly by the appeals judges who seemed unsure exactly how they would respond to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia's claims that it should be dismissed as a defendant on sovereign immunity grounds. Lawyers for Saudi Arabia say the nation and the U.S. were partners in the 1990s against terrorism, al-Qaida and its founder, Osama bin Laden. Although 15 of the 19 attackers on 9/11 were Saudis, the Saudi government has long denied any involvement in the attacks. Lawyers for victims' relatives claim that a group of extremist religious leaders in Saudi Arabia aided the hijackers. The appeal by Saudi Arabia stemmed from an August 2025 ruling by U.S. District Judge George B. Daniels, who decided that the case could proceed in federal court, though he did not rule on the merits of the claims. Join our commenting forum Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies Comments