Bat Yam Mayor Files Lawsuit Against Iran Over Missile Strike
Translated & summarized from Maariv by baba
Bat Yam Mayor Zvika Brot, represented by lawyer Nitzana Darshan-Leitner, has filed a major lawsuit against Iran over a missile strike. After serving an Iranian UN representative who refused to accept the papers, the case now moves to court. This precedent-setting Israeli lawsuit aims to overcome sovereign immunity and prove damages, potentially paving the way for other claims against Iran.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Bat Yam Mayor Zvika Brot filed a major lawsuit against Iran over a missile strike.
- Lawyer Nitzana Darshan-Leitner served the lawsuit to an Iranian UN representative.
- The Iranian representative refused to accept the legal documents.
- This is described as a precedent-setting lawsuit in Israel.
- The suit initially focuses on property damage, not fatalities.
The Mayor of Bat Yam, Zvika Brot, has filed a massive lawsuit against Iran following a missile strike that hit the city. Lawyer Nitzana Darshan-Leitner explained on 103FM that to initiate proceedings against a foreign country, its consular representative must be served. Since Israel and Iran lack diplomatic relations, they had to find an alternative method.
Darshan-Leitner and Brot, along with a consular representative, intercepted an Iranian representative to the UN on his way to the UN building to serve him the lawsuit. The Iranian representative refused to accept the documents, stating he was a diplomatic representative. However, Darshan-Leitner clarified that refusal to accept service still constitutes legal service, and they have now approached the court.
Regarding the lawsuit's prospects, Darshan-Leitner acknowledged that international courts deal with disputes between states, and U.S. courts are not an option as Iran has immunity there. She described this as a precedent-setting lawsuit in Israel, expressing confidence in overcoming potential hurdles such as sovereign immunity claims by the Foreign Ministry, service issues, and proving damages.
The lawsuit initially focuses on damages to property, not the nine fatalities from the missile strike, as Darshan-Leitner wants to test the legal waters first. She hopes this will open the door for others to file claims against Iran. She also referenced an arbitration case where Iran allegedly owes money, suggesting a potential avenue to compensate victims of Iranian aggression.
Darshan-Leitner also touched upon the legal aspects of the conflict with Iran, emphasizing that the current actions are defensive against Iran's nuclear capabilities and future threats, which she believes is protected under international law.
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