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Last update - 20:49 17/09/2007 U.S. court dismisses suit over bulldozing of Palestinian homes By The Associated Press Tags: bulldozers, Israel, U.S.  Saying its role was not to criticize U.S. policy towards Israel, an American federal appeals court dismissed a lawsuit on Monday charging that Caterpillar bulldozers aided killing and torture in the Palestinian territories. Relatives of 16 Palestinians and one American killed or injured by Israeli demolitions sued the heavy construction machine manufacturer. They alleged that by selling bulldozers used to demolish Palestinian homes, Caterpillar was responsible for war crimes, cruel and inhumane punishment and other violations. The U.S. government paid for the bulldozers, which were transferred to the Israel Defense Forces. The IDF sometimes uses engineering vehicles in operations aimed at curbing Palestinian militant activity. Advertisement A lower court dismissed the suit and the San Francisco-based 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals backed that decision, saying that to render a judgment on the matter would interfere with American foreign policy. "It is not the role of the courts to indirectly indict Israel for violating international law with military equipment the United States government provided and continues to provide," Circuit Judge Kim Wardlaw wrote for a three-judge panel. "The executive branch has made a policy determination that Israel should purchase Caterpillar bulldozers," the decision said. "A court could not find in favor of the plaintiffs without implicitly questioning, and even condemning, United States foreign policy toward Israel." The 9th Circuit has in some previous cases shied away from lawsuits in which American policy was in question. Because the United States executive branch paid for the Caterpillar bulldozers sent to Israel, the sale was an extension of U.S. national security decisions, the judge wrote. "In this regard, we are mindful of the potential for causing international embarrassment were a federal court to undermine foreign policy decisions in the sensitive context of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict," the ruling said. Peoria, Illinois-based Caterpillar has sold bulldozers to Israel since it took control of the West Bank and Gaza in 1967, the court said. Bookmark to del.icio.us   Say what you want French court: Claim that Al-Dura tape doctored isn`t libelous. Peace in our time Olmert: Peace talks with Syria are a 'national duty'.   1.   Bulldozers have become passe` 21:26  |  Yonatan 17/09/07   2.   the judge is a war criminal 21:30  |  natan 17/09/07   3.   So I guess that the terrorists won`t be suing Raytheon 21:55  |  Murray of Montreal 17/09/07   4.   I didn`t write #1, but 22:08  |  Yonatan 17/09/07   5.   #2 Natan 22:11  |  Yonatan 17/09/07   6.   IDF used engineering vehicle to kill Rachel Corrie 22:14  |  Ivar 17/09/07   7.   Seek Justice ELSEWHERE (Somewhere Else)! This Is BullSh**. 22:35  |  Proud Pal Defender 17/09/07   8.   Rachel Corrie`s murder 22:43  |  Avi 17/09/07   9.   Ivar Corrie deliberately `challenged` a tractor 22:52  |  Millie 17/09/07   10.   Ivar the Estonian 22:58  |  GZLives 17/09/07   11.   Seek Justice ELSEWHERE (Somewhere Else)! This Is BullSh**. 23:00  |  Proud Pal Defender 17/09/07   12.   Rachel Corrie 23:09  |  Harris 17/09/07   13.   Yonatan #5 23:17  |  Veritas 17/09/07   14.   Legal decisions not based on law. 23:30  |  Fred 17/09/07   15.   suing palestinian mothers 23:44  |  howard 17/09/07   16.   Can the plaintiffs PROVE that THE sole INTENTION 23:51  |  Alice of Wonderland 17/09/07   17.   Avi#8 - you`re a joke 23:52  |  William 17/09/07   18.   Poor Rachel # 6 et al 23:55  |  Lynn 17/09/07   19.   to #6 Rachel Corrie 23:56  |  Chick 17/09/07   20.   For Different Reasons 00:38  |  Ron 18/09/07   21.   #12 - What do you know about law? 00:43  |  lawyer 18/09/07   22.   Elsewhere MEANING Another Court Here/Somewhere Else & Boycotts. 00:49  |  Proud Pal Defender 18/09/07   23.   Harris and pseudo equality 00:51  |  Truth 18/09/07   24.   Howard 00:53  |  Truth 18/09/07   25.   2nd Attempt - Rachel Corrie- A traitor to the US 00:54  |  Chick 18/09/07   26.   History will remember Israel - the terrorist State. 01:06  |  Maureen Ann 18/09/07   27.   Well said Chick...Thanks 01:20  |  SLAVO 18/09/07   28.   What a joke! 01:22  |  Sal 18/09/07   29.   Rachel Corrie - Intl Activists Movement 01:24  |  Nora 18/09/07   30.   The bad guys loose again ! 01:24  |  pace306 18/09/07   31.   U.S. court dismisses suit over bulldozing of Palestinian homes 01:51  |  Sylvia 18/09/07   32.   Proud Pal Defender 02:07  |  Lynn 18/09/07   33.   Not really the point of the lawsuit, is it? 02:15  |  Johnboy 18/09/07   34.   the judge name is Wardlaw or Warsaw 02:43  |  nobodysacred 18/09/07   35.   South African Apartheid victims where able to sue in US courts 03:09  |  Lisa 18/09/07   36.   If #21 is correct, Rachel Corrie deserved what she got. 03:24  |  Murray of Montreal 18/09/07   37.   As much as I condemn IDF bulldozing... 03:27  |  Ali bin Abu ibn Abd 18/09/07   38.   rachel corrie shamed her family`s name. 03:29  |  maria 18/09/07   39.   DIFFICILE EST SATIRAM NON SCRIBERE 03:32  |  Jake 18/09/07   40.   #18 - What do you know about US law? 04:42  |  Fred 18/09/07   41.   #26 Maureen 05:20  |  John Allen 18/09/07   42.   what else can one expect... 05:21  |  ravi 18/09/07   43.   Proud Pal 05:30  |  Gina 18/09/07   44.   #37 ali boo boo 05:37  |  John Allen 18/09/07   45.   9/31 06:29  |  Kevin 18/09/07   46.   Caterpillar 07:07  |  jake 18/09/07   47.   "TRUTH" refresh our memories.Who was handing out sweets in Warsaw 07:10  |  PETER SM 18/09/07   48.   PAL homes used to hide tunnels or weapons ARE Military targets 07:15  |  PETER SM 18/09/07   49.   Haaretz = No freedom of speech for Israel supporters 09:29  |  Seth 18/09/07   50.   #46 - Interesting comparision, Jake 13:02  |  JES 18/09/07   51.   #4 Yonatan 14:41  |  Advocate4Liberty 18/09/07   52.   Response to Natan#2 20:59  |  Jamal 18/09/07   53.   re Yonatan #5 11:25  |  Colin Wright 23/05/08

Read & React Bradley Burston: The Palestinians' time is running out Responses: 102 West backs Lebanese gov't capitulation to Hezbollah Responses: 54 Obama promises 'unshakable commitment' to Israel if elected Responses: 31 McCain rejects pastor's support after 'God sent Hitler' jibe Responses: 23 Yossi Sarid: Applauding Bush while the peace process fades away Responses: 6 Rosner's Domain Poll: Peace between Israel & Syria? Rosner's Guests: Peace with Syria now? not very likely 8 short comments on the Israel-Syria peace talks Pastor Hagee withdrawals McCain endorsement (WTR) Why Obama needs Florida Jews? (WTR) More Headlines 11:26 Olmert's Syrian lifeline? 10:59 Police question Olmert with focus on friend's testimony 11:25 Palestinians: IDF kills 3 in Gaza; soldier hurt by anti-tank missile 09:21 Israel-Syria talks leave the 'Iranians in shock' 11:17 French FM: Nothing can justify Israeli settlement expansion 09:16 Obama promises 'unshakable commitment' to Israel if elected 09:14 McCain rejects pastor's support after 'God sent Hitler' comment 10:17 Israeli Arab driver critically hurt by guard at W. Bank settlement 09:15 Bill would require Golan referendum 06:18 Turkey hoping Syria talks will ease domestic turmoil 06:04 Grant's wife accuses British media: They're hungry for Avram's raw flesh 05:15 Prosecutor: Seattle Jewish center shooter 'used murder' to get out message 10:39 Tough characters take root in Dead Sea area, celebrated by a new plant guide Previous Editions Select Day 22 may 21 may 20 may 19 may 18 may 16 may 15 may 14 may 13 may 12 may 11 may 09 may

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