Family members of 9/11 victims filled a New York City courtroom on Wednesday, continuing their push to hold Saudi Arabia accountable for allegedly supporting the hijackers. The lawsuit, filed in 2004 and involving thousands of plaintiffs, claims that Saudi government officials provided financial and logistical support to several hijackers, fifteen of whom were Saudi nationals. Saudi Arabia has consistently denied any involvement in the attacks that killed 2,977 people.
During oral arguments before the 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, Saudi attorney Gregory Rapawy opened the case by asserting that the kingdom never supported Al Qaeda and that sovereign immunity protected it. Victims’ lawyer Gavin Simpson countered, citing the 2016 Justice Against Sponsors of Terrorism Act, which limits foreign governments’ immunity in terrorism cases, and argued that Saudi officials failed to meet the dismissal threshold. Judge William Nardini thanked the parties and said the case would be taken under advisement.
The case has faced repeated challenges over Saudi immunity. A 2015 dismissal was overturned on appeal, and in 2025 U.S. District Judge George Daniels denied a renewed motion to dismiss, finding reasonable evidence that Saudi officials employed two men to assist hijackers. Saudi Arabia’s appeal of that ruling brought the matter before the appellate panel, which will issue its decision later.
Victims’ relatives expressed frustration over the delay, calling for accountability and urging President Donald Trump to intervene. The arguments came weeks after the 25th anniversary of the attacks, a time when survivors and families reflected on the lack of justice. The families hope the Second Circuit will uphold the lower court’s decision and bring the case to an American courtroom.
