To:       Assemblyman Rory Lancman
From:   Ilan Weinglass, Managing Editor, The Terror Finance Blog
Date:    January 28, 2008
Re:       Support for the Libel Terrorism Protection Act (S.6687/A.9652)

I am writing in my capacity as Managing Editor of the Terror Finance Blog, a multi- expert news service on the subject of terrorist financing.

The Terror Finance Blog (TFB) strongly praises the introduction of the “Libel Terrorism Protection Act” (S.6687/A.9652) in the New York State legislature. This act will constrain “libel tourists” from threatening authors and publishers in New York by bringing meritless defamation actions in plaintiff-friendly foreign courts. The legislation was announced at a press conference on the steps of the New York Public Library on Sunday morning, January 13.

There have been many cases where the very threat of a lawsuit in a foreign jurisdiction has prevented honest, dogged researchers from carrying out legitimate research into the sources of terrorist funding. Rachel Ehrenfeld is an exception to this pattern as she has refused to back down to the threats of Saudi billionaire Khalid bin Mahfouz.

The 1st Amendment grants freedom of speech to all Americans, regardless of opinion. It does not grant wealthy foreigners veto power over our freedom of expression. If not for Dr. Ehrenfeld’s brave fight, wealthy foreigners would have de facto censorship over serious publications and opinions they don’t like. I hope the Legislature realizes that it has the ability to prevent this situation, and will sign the bill into law immediately.

Sincerely,

Ilan Weinglass
Managing Editor,
The Terror Finance Blog
(www.terrorfinance.org)