David J. Strachman

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David J. Strachman is a Providence, Rhode Island attorney noted for his representation of terror victims in civil suits against terror entities including the PLO, Palestinian Authority, Hamas and the Islamic Republic of Iran. He has won judgments on behalf of the victims of terrorism form each of these entities. Strachman is a 1986 graduate of Brandeis University and a 1990 graduate of Boston University School of Law.

Strachman’s approach to terrorism cases is credited with having “made legal history.” ^[1] He describes his motivation as hoping to “create an economic disincentive for terrorists. If the terrorists know that they can be forced to pay a lot, can even be bankrupted, then they may rethink their strategy. Appeals to any sense of morality have failed; appeals to their pocketbooks may work." ^[2]

Strachman won a landmark judgement against the Palestinian Authroity in a case involving the 1996 murders of Brooklyn-born Yaron Ungar, a US citizen, and his pregnant Israeli wife, Efrat, whose car was sprayed with bullets by Hamas militants. Those convicted of the crime were found to be carrying uniforms issued by the Palestinian Authority. Strachman was successful in attaching the U.S, assets fo the Palestinian Authority as compensation for the victims. ^[3] ^[4]

Strachman successfully sued the Iranian government for funding a 1997 Hamas bombing of et off bombs in the Ben Yehuda street mall in Jerusalem, which killed five and wounding 192. (Jenny Rubin, et al vs. the Islamic Republic of Iran, et al.) on the basis of Iran's having financed Hamas, which made Tehran legally responsible for the actions of Hamas. The judge in this case, Ricardo M. Urbina, noted that Iran budgets "between $50 million and $100 million a year sponsoring various organizations such as Hamas." ^[5]

Strachman is attempting to collect the judgment by suing for possession of ancient Perisan artifacts in museum collections. Chicago's Persian heritage crisis In doing so Strachman has come under fire for valuing money over archaeological research.

In March, 2008, the federal government refused to support efforts by the Palestinian Authority and the Palestine Liberation Organization to avoid paying millions of dollars in lawsuit judgments to American families who were victims of terrorism. ^[6]