Lawyer Nitzana Darshan-Leitner's Decades-Long Fight Against Terror Funding
Attorney Nitzana Darshan-Leitner, a prominent legal advocate against terrorism, discussed her career's evolution from a young lawyer to a global litigator targeting terror financing. Her early work included a petition to the High Court of Justice against the entry of Abu Abbas, a leader involved in the Achille Lauro hijacking, which resulted in the murder of Leon Klinghoffer. Though that petition was dismissed, it ignited her lifelong mission to give victims of terror a voice and hold those responsible financially accountable.
Darshan-Leitner's approach centers on economic warfare against terror, a strategy she believes is crucial for choking off its resources. This philosophy stems from her upbringing by Iranian immigrant parents who instilled in her the importance of Zionism, education, and using one's skills for a greater good. Initially considering medicine, she chose law, a path that ultimately led her to a demanding career and a large family of six, including triplets.
Her significant legal battles include a case following the Ramallah lynching of two IDF reservists. After a two-decade legal process, an Israeli court awarded victims' families 130 million shekels. Initially, the Israeli government hesitated to release these funds, fearing repercussions. However, a chance encounter with then-Defense Minister Benny Gantz on a flight to New York led to discussions, and subsequently, under Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, the funds were reportedly released to the victims' families, marking a shift from taxpayer compensation to holding responsible entities accountable.
In the United States, Darshan-Leitner's organization secured a $655 million judgment against the Palestinian Authority in a New York federal court for terror-related incidents. This case involved a decade-long legal struggle, reaching the U.S. Supreme Court twice and prompting legislative changes in Congress to establish jurisdiction. The recent success in reinstating this judgment signifies a major victory, reinforcing her belief that terror organizations and their supporters must face severe financial consequences.
Following the October 7th Hamas attacks, Darshan-Leitner has expanded her focus to defending IDF soldiers facing potential legal actions abroad. She highlights a case in the UK against an Israeli-British dual citizen soldier and criticizes Israeli lawyer Prof. Michal Pomeranz's legal opinion that could be used against soldiers. To counter this, her organization launched an app, "Shfatz," to guide soldiers on legal protections when traveling internationally. Darshan-Leitner also briefly entered politics with the Jewish Home party, aiming to bolster the national-religious political bloc, though the party did not pass the electoral threshold.
