American Center for Democracy
Dr. Rachel Ehrenfeld, a U.S. Citizen, is suing Saudi billionaire Sheik Khalid Salim bin Mahfouz, the former banker of the Saudi royal family who is has been widely reported to fund terrorist organizations such as HAMAS and al-Qaeda. She is suing Mahfouz in the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit to protect her First Amendment right after he sued her for libel in the UK in an attempt to silence her from reporting about his activities and reported links to Islamist terrorists.
Dr. Ehrenfeld's suit is important because she is fighting for the freedom to expose those who fund Islamist terrorists.
R. James Woolsey, the former Director of the CIA, who wrote the foreword to "Funding Evil":
"Justice Brandeis once wrote that 'sunlight is the best disinfectant'. That principle is being undermined today, even in our own country, by British libel law rulings that are increasingly tendentious and protective of wealthy plaintiffs from Saudi Arabia and elsewhere in the Gulf who badly need some sunlight focused on their activities. Rachel Ehrenfeld is fighting a lonely and vital battle to limit the chilling effect of these British rulings and keep them from being given effect here. She deserves all of our help."
"Dr. Ehrenfeld is a respected scholar, who, to my knowledge, does not make irresponsible charges ... She currently serves with me and former Secretary of State George Schulz on the board of directors of The Committee on the Present Danger. We are dedicated to winning the war on terrorism, and the contribution of members like Rachel Ehrenfeld has been invaluable."
Floyd Abrams, a First Amendment lawyer:
"This is an important issue. It imperils American authors writing for Americans about issues of interest to them. American authors should line up and support the lawsuit."
James Goodale, former general counsel and vice chairman of the New York Times Co.:
"The Mahfouz suit is totally unfair. Ehrenfeld has not published her book in the United Kingdom. She published it in the United States and has no control over special orders that have the book sent abroad through the Internet."
Richard Perle, Resident Fellow, the American Enterprise Institute:
"Rachel Ehrenfeld has meticulously researched and responsibly written about the financing of Islamist terrorist organizations. The Islamists whose activities have been revealed don't like that so they have used their Saudi billions to silence her--and others--by suing her in the United Kingdom, even though her book was published only in the United States. She has launched a counter suit of immense importance and it is vital that she prevail.
If Rachel's suit fails due to lack of financing, no publisher will print books or articles exposing terrorist financing--and one of the essential weapons in the war against Islamist terror will be struck forever from our hands."
Statement of 9/11 Families for a Secure America Board of Directors:
"The members of 9/11 FSA, as direct victims of the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, have therefore have a special interest in the uncovering of all those individuals and organizations which played a role, either directly or indirectly, in the conspiracy which led to the mass murders of that day. It is for this reason we support the position of the plaintiff Ehrenfeld."
Statement of The 9/11 Families United to Bankrupt Terrorism:
"The 9/11 Families United to Bankrupt Terrorism (9/11 Families) is an organization comprised of thousands of family members who lost loved ones or were injured on September 11, 2001…are devoted to cutting off the flow of terrorism financing. It is for this reason we support the position of the Plaintiff/Appellant Ehrenfeld.
This lawsuit, brought by Ms. Ehrenfeld, is the best way to insure that these rights which are fundamental to our concept of freedom and liberty are not denigrated overseas by individuals who have channeled their money and energy into an effort to destroy our citizens."
