Appeals Panel Weighs Saudi Immunity in 9/11 Lawsuit

A federal appeals panel in New York heard arguments October 7 on Saudi Arabia’s effort to end civil claims brought by families of September 11 victims, leaving unresolved whether the kingdom can be sued in the United States. The three-judge panel did not rule at the hearing and gave no date for a decision. Saudi Arabia argues it should be dismissed under sovereign-immunity rules, which generally shield foreign governments from lawsuits in U.S. courts. The families’ lawyers contend that the case can proceed. The dispute follows an August 2025 ruling by U.S. District Judge George B. Daniels allowing the claims to continue in federal court. The lawsuit, first filed in 2004, alleges that Saudi-linked individuals or officials assisted at least two of the 19 hijackers. Families also allege that extremist religious figures and Saudi-linked charities provided support to people associated with al-Qaida. Saudi Arabia denies that its government had any role in the attacks. The allegations have not been proven, and the district judge’s ruling addressed whether the case could move forward, not whether the kingdom was liable.