Bankrupt Terrorism: One Lawsuit at a Time
Meet Nitsana Darshan-Leitner, the Israeli lawyer who’s taking on terrorists where it hurts them most – their wallets. Born to Iranian immigrants in Israel, Nitsana grew up understanding the dangers of radicalism in the Middle East. Now, she’s made it her mission to fight terror through the power of law.
As the founder of Shurat HaDin, an NGO dedicated to combating terrorism through legal action, Nitsana’s motto is clear: “Nobody can kill innocent people and go without paying. Our model is to bankrupt terrorism one lawsuit at a time”.
The Legal Arsenal Against Terror
Nitsana’s approach to fighting terrorism is unique and powerful. Working closely with Mossad, Israel’s National Intelligence Agency, she traces the financial activities of terror groups and takes them to court. Her targets? They’re not small fry:
- Hamas
- Hezbollah
- Islamic Jihad
- The Islamic Republic of Iran
- North Korea
Yes, you read that right. Nitsana sues entire nations for being state sponsors of terror. And she’s not just filing paperwork – she’s winning. We’re talking billions of dollars in lawsuits.
How to Sue a Terrorist (No, Really)
You might be wondering, “How the heck do you sue a terrorist organization like ISIS?” Well, Nitsana’s got it down to a science:
- Serve them with a lawsuit
- Prove they’re responsible for attacks
- Get a judgment against them
- Make them pay
Sounds simple, right? But here’s where it gets interesting. Nitsana and her team enforce these judgments by going after everything the terrorists own – bank accounts, salaries, buildings, you name it.
Real Impact: The Story of Baby Chaya
In October 2014, a Hamas terrorist rammed his car into a crowd in Jerusalem, killing a 3-month-old American baby named Chaya. Nitsana took on the case, suing the Islamic Republic of Iran for sponsoring Hamas. The result? A $178.7 million judgment in a U.S. court. While no amount of money can replace a lost life, Nitsana’s work provides some measure of justice for terror victims’ families.
Taking on the Giants: The Red Cross Case
But Nitsana isn’t just going after obvious bad guys. Her latest target? The Red Cross. Why? Because they refuse to visit Israeli hostages in armed conflicts, despite having the authority to do so everywhere else in the world. Nitsana draws a chilling parallel to the Holocaust when the Red Cross refused to visit Jews in concentration camps. She’s determined not to let history repeat itself.
The Power of Legal Warfare
Nitsana Darshan-Leitner is proof that you don’t need to be on the battlefield to fight terrorism. By using her legal skills, she’s become a warrior in the courtroom, striking at the heart of terrorist operations – their funding. “We have to fight terrorism because it’s not just an Israeli problem, it’s a global threat to mankind,” Nitsana says. “The only way we can destroy terrorism is to go after the funding. Money is the oxygen for everything, including terrorism”. So next time you think one person can’t make a difference in the fight against global terrorism, remember Nitsana Darshan-Leitner. She’s showing the world that sometimes, the pen (or in this case, the lawsuit) really is mightier than the sword
