Israeli group to sue Facebook for $1billion on terror victims’ behalf

An Israeli rights group is suing Facebook for one billion dollars (£771 million) on behalf of the families of victims of Palestinian attacks.

The Shurat Hadin group is claiming the social network provides militant groups with a platform for spreading violence, and plans to file the suit in a New York court later.

The victims cited in the suit were all American.

The plaintiffs include the family of Taylor Force, a 28-year-old American veteran who was stabbed to death by a Palestinian attacker while visiting Israel in March.

Shurat Hadin claims Facebook is violating the US Anti-Terrorism Act by allowing groups such as the Islamic militant Hamas to disseminate their messages on Facebook.

The lawsuit comes as Israel is considering how to contain what it sees as Palestinian incitement on social media.