Bluth v. Islamic Republic of Iran

• Court: District Court, District of Columbia
• Decided: August 25, 2016
• Docket: Civil Action No. 2012-0250
• Status: Published

Opinion

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA

NETHANIAL CHAIM BLUTH, et al.,:

Plaintiffs,

v. Civil Action No. 12-250 (GK)

ISLAMIC REPUBLIC OF IRAN, et al.

Defendants.

Memorandum 0pinion

On February 13, 2012, ten members of the Bl'uth family

("Plaintiffs" or "the Bluths") filed a Complaint alleging that the

Islamic Republic of Iran, the Iranian Ministry of Information and

Security, and the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps ("Iranian

Defendants") are liable under the Foreign Sovereign Immunities Act

("FSIA"), 28 U.S.C. § 1605A, for Plaintiffs' physical and emotional

injuries arising from a terrorist attack by Hamas directed at a

classroom full of students studying Torah on March 7, 2002. Am.

Compl.

Iranian Defendants "provided material support or resources

including cover, sanctuary, technical assistance, explosive

devices, and training" to the terrorists. Id.

On February 2 4, 2015, the Clerk of the Court declared the

Iranian Defendants to be in default because they had never

-1- responded to the Complaint. In order to obtain a default judgment

under FSIA, plaintiffs must establish their claim or right to

relief by evidence that is satisfactory to the Court. See 28 U.S.C.

§ 1608(e). As explained herein, Plaintiffs have met this standard.

Accordingly, the Court will gEant their Motion for Default

Judgment.

I. FINDINGS OF FACT

A. Background

1. Hamas

Hamas is a Palestinian Sunni Islamist group that formed in

1987 as a derivative of the Palestinian branch of the Egypt-based

Muslim Brotherhood. Declaration of Dr. Matthew Levi tt 1 ("Levitt

Deel.") at 17 [Dkt. No. 56-2]. Known.as Barakat al-Muqawamah al-

Islamiyya in Arabic, (translated as "The Islamic Resistance

Movement") ("Am. Compl.") [Dkt. No. 5 '.JI 24], Hamas aims to destroy

Israel and create an Islamic Palestinian state in its place. Levitt

1 At the Evidentiary Hearing, the Court found Dr. Levitt to be a qualified expert for purposes of testifying on issues relating to Hamas and Iran's support of Hamas. Tr. at 8. Dr. Levitt holds both a Masters of Law and Diplomacy (MALO} and a Ph.D. in International Relations from The Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy at Tufts University, and has extensive experience spanning over two decades. Levitt Deel. at 1; Levitt Curriculum Vitae [Dkt. No. 56-4].

-2- Deel. at 17; Declaration of Dr. Patrick Clawson 2 '"Clawson Deel.")

at 10 [Dkt. No. 56-1].

Hamas also fights against secularization and Westernization

of Arab society and aims to be recognized internationally as the

only representative entity of the Palestinian people. Levitt Deel.

at 17. Hamas engages in social welfare and political activity, as

well as guerilla and terrorist attacks to achieve its goals. Id.

Hamas emphasizes violent jihad, 3 which is a "religiously sanctioned

resistance against perceived enemies of Islam." Id. at 17-18.

Within Hamas, the Izz a-Din al-.Qassam Brigades form the

military wing that carries out acts of violence against both

military and civilian targets, including suicide as well as other

types of bombings, use of Qassam rockets, 4 mortar fire, and

shootings. Levitt Deel. at 18. In the 2003 Patterns of Global

2 At the Evidentiary Hearing, the Court found Dr. Clawson to be a qualified expert for purposes of testifying on issues relating to Hamas and Iran's support of Hamas. Tr. at 8. Dr. Clawson is the Director of Research at the Washington Institute for Near East Policy and has been studying the Middle East, in particular Iran, for approximately thirty-five years. Clawson Deel. at 1; Clawson Curriculum Vitae [Dkt. No. 56-3].

3 Jihad, as used by al-Qaeda, also means "holy war towards the establishment of the Islamic Caliphate worldwide." Clawson Deel. at 10.

4 A Qassam rocket is a simple, cylindrical, short-range rocket with a small warhead on its tip that is deployed primarily from the Gaza Strip. A 2010 U.S. Department of Defense Report indicated that Iran helped in the development of the Qassam rocket. Levitt Deel. at 16.

-3- Terrorism, the United States Department of State reported that

Hamas carried out more than 150 attacks globally, including one of

the most deadly attacks in 2003. Levitt Deel. at 15; see Pls.' Ex.

7 [Dkt. No. 58-7].

As of March 2004, Hamas had carried out 425 terrorist attacks

since its creation; it had killed approximately 377 people and

wounded 2,076. Levitt Deel. at 18; Pls.' Ex. 15 [Dkt. No. 58-15].

One element of the group's strategy is to terrorize and then

pressure leaders to give concessions to Hamas to stop the violence.

Levitt Deel. at 19. The "social" wing of Hamas i·ndoctrinates,

recruits, and supplies funding for the military wing. Am. Compl.

In 1995, the United States Government designated Hamas as a

"Specially Designated Terrorist" entity pursuant to the

International Emergency Economic Powers Act. Am. Compl.

(citing 50 U.S.C.A. §§ 1701, 1702; Exec. Order No. 12947, 60 Fed.

Reg. 5079 (Jan. 23, 1995)). Only two years later, Hamas was

identified and labeled as a "Foreign Terro-rist Organization,"

pursuant to 8 U.S.C. § 1189. Am. Compl.

provide material support and resources, including currency or

monetary instruments, financial services, personnel,

transportation, and other provisions to any components of a Foreign

Terrorist Organization. Id.; see 18 U.S.C.A. §§ 2339A, 2339B.

-4- Various press outlets, including the al Qassam website, which

is the official English language website of Hamas' military and

terrorist wing's "information office," track Hamas' acts. Levitt

Deel. at 21. Confirmed H~mas attacks include high-population areas

such as education centers, cafes and restaurants, command bases,

and buses, all of which are bound to injure or kill large groups

of people at any given time. Id. at 21-22. Hamas' pattern of

activity meets the criteria for "terrorism," which is defined as

"premeditated, politically motivated violence perpetrated against

noncombatant targets by subnational groups or clandestine agents."

2 2 U. S . C . A . § 2 6 5 6 f ( d) ( 2 ) ; see 8 U . S . C . § 118 9 ( a ) ( 1 ) ( B ) .

2. Iran as a State Sponsor of Terrorism

A "state sponsor of terrorism" refers to a country whose

government the United States Secretary of State has determined,

for purposes of Section 6(j) of the Export Administration Act of

1979, (50 U.S.C. App. § 2405(j)), Section 620A of the Foreign

Assistance Act of 1979, (22 U.S.C. § 2371), Section 40 of the Arms

Export Control Act, (22 U.S.C. § 2780), or any other provision of

law, "is a government that has repeatedly provided support for

acts of international terrorism," 28 U.S.C.A. § 1605A(h) (6); see

also "Terrorist Groups," u. s. Department of State,

https://www.nctc.gov/site/groups.html. The government of the

Islamic Republic of Iran ("Iran") has been identified as a state

sponsor of terrorism since January 19, 1984. Moradi v. Islamic

-5- Republic of Iran, 77 F. Supp. 3d 57, 65 fn. 7 (D.D.C. 2015)

(citations omitted); see generally Levitt Deel.; Clawson Deel.

Beginning in the early 1990' s, Iran and Hamas developed a

close relationship. Clawson Deel. at 10. Iran was driven by its

desire to disrupt the Middle East peace process in the late 1990's

and relied on terrorist activities to do so, strongly and publicly

encouraging such activities from Hamas. Id. The Iranian

Revolutionary Guard Corps ( "IRGC") and Iran's Ministry of

Information and Security ( "MOIS") made terrorism training

available to Hamas members as well as other terrorist groups. Id.

at 7. Iran has provided financial support as well as tactical

training and planning support to Hamas. Id. at 8-10 (citing the

Patterns of Global Terrorism annual reports by the U.S. Department

of State pursuant to 22 U.S.C. § 2656f(a)). Moreover, Iran employs

a performance-based approach to calculate its level of funding for

a terrorist group and rewards groups like Hamas for successful

attacks. Levitt Deel. at 7 (citing Weinstein v. Islamic Republic

of Iran, 184 F. Supp. 2d 13, 19 (D.D.C. 2002)).

In 1997, during a televised interview of Hassan Salameh, a

Hamas member, it was publicly revealed that Hamas members flew to

and trained in Iran and received support from Iran. Clawson Deel.

at 10. In 2003, the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs estimated

that Iran provided Hamas with approximately $3 million per year.

Id. at 11. That same year, estimates of Hamas' budget ranged

-6- 'I

anywhere from $30 million to $90 million per year. Levitt Deel. at

13. Of that amount, according to FBI testimony, an estimated $25

million to $30 million per year came from foreign funding. Id.

Monetary funding supports the costs of propaganda, terror

activities, social welfare (including payments to the families of

suicide bombers), bribes, intelligence payments, long-term

infrastructure, and safe houses. Id. at 12-13.

The relationship between Hamas and Iran cooled after 2003,

following a vigorous Israeli campaign against Hamas. Clawson Deel.

at 11. However, Hamas and Iran re-developed their relationship in

2006 when Hamas gained power in the Palestinian elections and took

control of the Gaza strip in 2007. Id. In the years following, the

relationship between Hamas and Iran has been continuously

recognized in studies prepared by the United States Government and

other organizations. Levitt Deel. at 16-17; Clawson Deel. at 11

(citing academic scholarship, U.S. Department of Defense Report,

Institute for Peace study, Human Rights Watch Report, and

Congressional Research Service work that have traced the existing

relationship between Iran and Hamas up until 2014).

3. March 7, 2002 Attack on Atzmona

On Thursday, March 7, 2002, a yeshiva 5 in Atzmona, located in

the Gaza Strip was attacked. Transcript of Evidentiary Hearing

5 A yeshiva is a pre-military religious academy where students study religion and the Israeli state. Tr. at 22-23. Most of the

-7- ("Tr.") at 10, 79 [Dkt. No. 60] . Nethaniel Chaim Bluth

("Nethaniel," "Plaintiff") was a student at the yeshiva on the

night of the attack. Nethaniel was born in Jerusalem, Israel and

lived in Israel for most of his life. Id. at 19-20; Pls.' Ex. 33

[Dkt. No. 59-33]. He grew up in a small religious settlement in

Israel, where his mother resided until she passed away

approximately one year ago and where his father continues to

reside. Tr. at 18, 21. For the entirety of his life, Nethaniel has

been a dual citizen of Israel and the United States, because his

parents are American citizens. Id. at 20.

Following high school graduation, Nethaniel chose to attend

the yeshiva in Atzmona before joining the Israeli army to complete

Israel's mandatory service requirement. Id. at 21-22. Two of

Nethaniel's brothers had attended the same yeshiva before him. Id.

at 24, 72. By the time of the attack, Nathaniel had been studying

in Atzmona for half a year. Id. at 61-62. He had recently decided

to extend his orig1nal year-long stay an additional six months

because he enjoyed his studies and the community. Id. at 24-25.

Nethaniel, like the other 120 students, slept, ate, and

studied every day at the yeshiva. Id. at 2 5, 32. Despite being

students enroll following high school graduation and are eighteen or nineteen years old. Id. Although the curriculum also includes fitness training and prepares students to be soldiers, its purpose is educational, not military. Id. at 79-80. Students at the yeshiva do not carry weapons. Id. at 41, 80.

-8- away from the family home, Nethaniel stayed in close contact with

his parents and sev.en siblings. Id. at 18-19, 73. He went home

frequently, as did his siblings, typically on a weekly basis. Id.

at 33. The family home was approximately a two-hour drive from the

yeshiva. Id. at 2 9. Six of the eight Bluth children, including

Nethaniel, used the family home in Neve Tzuf as their permanent

residence. Id. at 64, 85-86; Deposition of Isaac Menahem Bluth

("Isaac Depo.") at 6-7 [Dkt. No. 58-49].

On the night of March 7, 2002, there were approximately thirty

students in Nethaniel's classroom. Tr. at 36. Students generally

studied late on Thursday nights because they either went home for

Sabbath on Fridays or used the day as a personal "free day." Id.

at 34-35. During a lecture at approximately 11:30pm, Nethaniel and

the other students heard the sounds of gunfire and grenade

explosions. Plaintiffs' Proposed Findings of Fact and Conclusions

of Law in Support of their Motion for Default Judgment ("Statement

of Facts") at 7 [Dkt. No. 59]; Tr. at 41. The rabbi in the classroom

instructed a student to turn off the lights and everyone in the

classroom remained silent and waited. Tr. at 37.

Nethaniel moved towards the glass door and window to see what

was causing the noise. Id. at 37-38. When Nethaniel looked out, he

saw his friend Asher Marcus and a rabbi who was on duty as a guard

that evening sitting in a Jeep talking. Id. Upon more explosions

and shooting, students began to scream and Bluth saw Asher and the

-9- rabbi running towards one room, and then towards Nethaniel' s

classroom. Id. at 39. Nethaniel described Asher as terrified and

white in the face. Id. Nethaniel held the classroom door open for

Asher, and as he came running through the doorway, Asher was shot

and fell on Nethaniel, who caught him. Id. at 39, 43. At the same

time, Nethaniel saw the attacker come out from between two other

buildings, approximately thirty feet from his classroom. 6 Id. at

40-41. The attacker then started shooting into Nethaniel's

classroom as he walked towards the building. Id. at 40, 42.

With Asher on top of him, Nethaniel laid on the floor with

his hands on his head, unable to move. Id. at 43. Nethaniel warned

his classmates that the attacker was approaching the classroom.

Id. at 40. He saw that the attacker was wearing a black vest filled

with ammunition and grenades. Id. at 41. A guard driving in a car

tried to run over the attacker to stop him, but was unable to,

because of the sand surrounding his car. Id. at 45. No one in the

classroom was armed the night of the attack, id. at 41, and so

each person simply waited and prayed, id. at 43.

Following the shots into Nethaniel's classroom, the attacker

threw two grenades into the classroom through a window. Id. at 45.

The first grenade exploded approximately three meters from Bluth's

face. Am. Compl. ~ 64. Nethaniel felt blood going down his face

6 Nethaniel also indicates that the buildings were thirty meters from his classroom. Tr. at 39-40.

-10- and heard more screaming and praying. Tr. at 46. There was a second

grenade and explosion. Id. Following the second explosion, the

attacker moved elsewhere and people started getting up and taking

care of the wounded. Id. at 46-47. Nethaniel's friend helped stop

the bleeding on Nethaniel's head because Nethaniel could feel that

something had happened to his own hands. Id. at 47.

Israeli soldiers killed the attacker following a twenty-

minute gun battle. Statement of Facts at 7. At about the time the

attacker was killed, ambulances and soldiers arrived at the area

and Nethaniel was taken outside. Id.; Tr. at 47. By the end, five

people were killed and approximately twenty-three others were

injured. Levitt Deel. at 20 (citing news reports and Israel

Ministry of Foreign Affairs). Of the five deaths, two were

Nethaniel' s close friends, Asher and Eran Picard. Statement of

Facts at 7. Nethaniel saw the bodies of his two dead friends, as

well as other injured friends laid out on the grass when he was

brought outside. Tr. at 47.

The National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and

Responses to Terrorism ("START") at the University of Maryland

identif{ed the attacker as Mohammad Farahat. 7 Levitt Deel. at 20

(citing Incident Summary, 03/07/2002, Global Terrorism Database,

7 Spelled "Muhammad Parhat" in the Complaint.

-11- National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Reponses to

Terrorism, http://www.start.umd.edu/gtd/search/IncidentSummary.as

px?gtdid=200203070002); Pls.' Ex. 20 [Dkt. No. 58-20]. START also

confirmed in its Global Terrorism Database that a Hamas

representative claimed responsibility for the Atzmona attack. Id.

(citing Incident Summary, 03/07/2002). Major media outlets,

including BBC, The Guardian, and the al Qassam website, also

reported that Hamas claimed the attack as its own. Levitt Deel. at

19, 21; Pls.' Exs. 17-18, 22 [Dkt. No. 58-17, -18, -22]. It was

reported that Farahat trained for two days prior to the operation.

Levitt Deel. at 21 (citing a translation of Al Sharq Al Awsat, An

Interview with the Mother of a Suicide Bomber, the Middle East

Media Research Institute, Special Dispatch No. 391(June19, 2002),

http://www.memri.org/report/en/0/0/0/0/0/0/683.htm).

As the following suggests, Farahat had deep ties with Hamas.

Levitt Deel. at 20. When Farahat was seven years old, a former

head of the Hamas military wing took refuge from the authorities

in Farahat' s home for fourteen ·months and was ultimately killed

there. Id. (citing An Interview with the Mother of a Suicide

Bomber) . A video of Farahat' s mother posted on the al Qassam

website prior to the attack captured how proud she was to sacrifice

her son Farahat to Allah. Pls.' Ex. 27 [Dkt. No. 58-27].

Farahat kept in contact with his mother after he arrived in

Atzmona and Hamas operatives notified her when Farahat penetrated

-12- the settlement security fence. Levitt Deel. at 21 (citing Holy

Land 2006 Gaza Um Nadal). Following the attack, Farahat's mother

emphasized the Atzmona attack and glorified her son. See, e.g.,

Pls.' Ex. 22 [Dkt. No. 58-23]. She praised Farahat publicly as the

model martyr and even used the security fence taken from Atzmona

as a chicken-wire fence next to her home. Levitt Deel. at 21

(citing Mother of Martyrs in Parliament for Hamas, Deutsche

Presses-Agentur, (Jan. 31, 2006)'

http://www.arabnews.com/node/279724); see also Pls.' Ex. 14 [Dkt.

No. 58-14]. Visible to visitors, the wall near the fence read:

"Through this Mohammad got into the settlement." Levitt Deel. at

21 (citing Mother of Martyrs in Parliament for Hamas) . In 2006,

Farahat's mother won a seat in the Palestinian Legislative Council

on the Hamas ticket. Pls.' Ex. 23 [Dkt. No. 58-23].

4. Nethaniel Bluth's Injuries

After the attack, Nethaniel was identified as one of the

students who was most critically injured. Tr. at 89; Statement of

Facts at 7. He was covered in blood, had burns over much of his

body, and had injuries to his head, face, and chest. Statement of

Facts at 8. Nethaniel testified that at that time he could not

feel his hands. Tr. at 47. The doctor who bandaged Nethaniel's

forehead and hands at the scene of the attack believed that there

was a bullet entry wound in Nethaniel's sternum, right above his

heart. Id. at 4 8; Statement of Facts at 7. It remains unclear

-13- whether Nethaniel was hit by a bullet or shrapnel. 8 An exit wound

was not readily identified at that time, causing serious concern,

because it may have been lodged in his body. Tr. at 44. Nethaniel

was put on a stretcher and was one of two people transported by

helicopter from Atzmona to Tel Hashomer Hospital. Id. at 49.

Upon arriving at the hospital, Nethaniel was conscious,

extremely anxious, and disoriented. Statement of Facts at 9.

Nethaniel testified that he was still in shock and stressed from

seeing his friends dead on the grass. Tr. at 47. As he was moved

through the emergency room for tests, he briefly passed by several

members of his family. Id. at 51; see Am. Compl. ~~ 66, 68-70, 73.

Following the tests, Nethaniel went into multiple surgeries for

his ears, the embedded shrapnel, and bullet wound. Tr. at 52.

Nethaniel suffered forehead and hand injuries from the first

grenade explosion. Id. at 45; Statement of Facts at 7. Pieces of

the grenade were embedded in his chest area and hand. Tr. at 45.

The right side of Nethaniel's face was severely'cut from the

grenade explosion and his head wound was so deep that the bone was

visible. Id. He also had open wounds on his arms, forehead, and

chest. Id. at 92. Many of the wounds required stitches. Id.

Nethaniel needed plastic surgery for his face and head due to the

8 In the Evidentiary Hearing, Nethaniel's father stated that the wound in Nethaniel's chest may have been caused by a bullet or a fragment of a bullet or a piece of shrapnel. Tr. at 90.

-14- blast and shrapnel from the grenade. Deposition of Joseph Bluth at

14 [ Dkt. No. 58-4 6] . In addition, the plastic surgeon had to

reattach part of his scalp to his skull. Id. at 15.

Nethaniel continued to be hospitalized for several days

following the operations. 9 Tr. at 52. The surgeon at Tel Hashomer

Hospital concluded that, while there was an indentation in

Nethaniel's chest from an object, there was no damage to his vital

organs . 10 Id. at 90. The surgeon believed that the fragment

whether it was a bullet or part of a grenade - hit Nethaniel's

sternum and deflected out of his body. Id.

Nethaniel's hearing was significantly impaired by the grenade

explosion. Id. at 46. While one eardrum was dislodged (it

eventual+y re-lodged), the other was completely blown out. Id. at

92. When he first took a hearing test following his surgeries, he

could not hear anything, id. at 52-53, and broke down in tears

when he realized that he could not hear. Id.; Statement of Facts

at 9. He continues to have issues with his hearing and has complete

hearing loss in one ear. Tr. at 57; Statement of Facts at 9.

Prior to the attack, Nethaniel had no medical issues, major

surgeries, history of depression, anxiety, or other mental health

concerns. Tr. at 32-33; Statement of Facts at 8. As a result of

9 Nethaniel's father stated that Nethaniel was di~charged a week and a half later. Tr. at 94.

10 No medical records were entered into evidence.

-15- .

the attack, he suffered from high levels of fear, anxiety,

paranoia, and extreme emotional fluctuations. See Statement of

Facts at 10-11. Nethaniel was traumatized from seeing his close

friends lying bloody on the ground and cried when he later learned

that they had died. Tr. at 47-48. Immediately following the attack,

his speech was affected and he stuttered for a period of time. Id.

at 91-92. Nethaniel was scared of noises and paranoid about people

entering his room at the hospital. Statement of Facts at 10. He

testified that he was afraid to be alone and needed someone near

him at all times. Tr. at 53, 55-56.

Following his discharge from the hospital, Nethaniel returned

to the family's home in Neve Tzuf. Id. at 94. Nethaniel continued

to go back to the hospital for outpatient treatment in the audio

ward for his hearing. Id. He needed someone with him for everyday

activities, such as walking, urinating, and showering. Statement

of Facts at 10. His father testified that Nethaniel was hesitant

and extra cautious during that period. Tr. at 94. Nethaniel

testified that he was afraid of the dark and, the minute the day

ended and the sun went down, he would close all the curtains and

windows, and lock the doors. Id. at 53. Nethaniel suffered from

headaches and terrible nightmares, which started at the hospital

and continued frequently in the period immediately after the

attack. Id. at 57-58; Statement of Facts at 9-10. Without pills or

the comfort of his parents, Nethaniel struggled to fall sleep. Tr.

-16- at 53. The constant ringing and physical pain in Nethaniel's ears

continued for weeks following the attack. Statement of Facts at 9.

After returning home from the hospital, Nethaniel spent a few

days at home and then went back to visit the yeshiva. Tr. at 55.

He testified that it was important for him to return as soon as he

could to understand what .had happened. Id. Moreover, it was

rehabilitative. Id. at 96. When Nethaniel eventually returned to

study at the yeshiva, he struggled with his fear of loud noises.

Id. at 58. Once during a thunderstorm, the lights went out and the

darkness and loud noises brought him back to the night of the

attack, the moments when he waited for the attacker's bullet on

the night of the attack, and he started crying. Id. While the

students were moved to and slept in more protected rooms than

before the attack, Nethaniel still needed someone with him at all

times. Id. at 56. He even showered with the door open because he

was afraid to be alone. Id. at 53.

After finishing the rest of his time at the yeshiva, Nethaniel

entered the army in March 2003. Id. at 61. Upon entering,

Nethaniel's placement was affected by his injuries. Id. at 61-62.

Nethaniel testified that most of his injuries were still present

when he joined the army and therefore, with doctors' notes, the

army had to find a job that he could do despite his injuries. Id.

at 61. Nethaniel served in the army for five and a half years, id.

at 56, and described his time with the army as helping him gain a

-17- sense of self-confidence in his ability to protect himself and

friends. Id. Nethaniel relies on a firearm to feel safe and always

carries one with him. See Statement of Facts at 10-11.

Fourteen years later, Nethaniel's injuries from Atzmona

continue to affect both his personal life and career. Tr. at 57;

Am. Compl. ~ 64. His hearing is permanently impaired and he is

unable to hear his wife and children or his co-workers when they

call him from another room. Tr. at 57. He continues to suffer from

tinnitus. Pl. Compl. ~ 10. Nethaniel has substantial permanent

scarring on his face, head, chest, and arms. Statement of Facts at

9; Tr. at 45-46. The shrapnel left in Nethaniel's hands and face

continue to cause him significant pain and affect his bones,

especially in cold weather or with a change in weather. Tr. at 46,

59.

Nethaniel continues to struggle with flashbacks to the night

of the attack when he sees his scars and when he sees the parents

of the students who were killed. Id. at 57. He continues to feel

guilt and remorse for the death of his two close friends who were • by his side throughout the attack. Statement of Facts at 11. He

has nightmares from time to time and frequently wakes up at night

to lock all the windows. Id. at 10-11; Tr. at 58. Nethaniel

continues to struggle with his fear of the dark and his paranoia

of loud noises or explosion-like sounds. Tr. at 53-54, 58.

-18- Nethaniel states that he no longer has the same "ability to

enjoy life in a carefree way" as he did prior to the attack and is

constantly alert. Statement of Facts at 11. Even today, the Bluth

family is careful about engaging in certain conversations with

Nethaniel and how they act around him. Id. His father testified

that Nethaniel's comedic personality and sense of self-confidence

changed after the attack. Statement of Facts at 10; Tr. at 71.

5. Family's Injuries

On the night of the attack, Shoshana Rosalyn Bluth

("Shoshana"), Nethaniel's mother, was at the family home with Isaac

Bluth ("Isaac"), the youngest of the Bluth brothers, and Tsipora

Batya Bluth ("Tsipora"), Nethaniel' s only sister. Tr. at 86;

Deposition of Tsipora Batya Bluth Reicher ("Tsipora Depa.") at 7

[Dkt. No. 59-47]. Shoshana, Tsipora, and Isaac learned about the

attack on the yeshiva through television news. Am. Compl.

69. Ephraim Bluth ("Ephraim"), Nethaniel's father, was in New York

on a business trip and learned about the attack when Shoshana

called him. Tr. at 81.

Joseph Bluth ("Joseph"), Nethaniel's oldest brother, was at

Tel Hashomer Hospital, awaiting the birth of his first child when

Nethaniel unexpectedly arrived in critical condition. Statement of

Facts at 13; Am. Compl.

Nethaniel's brother, was at a wedding in Jerusalem when he learned

about the attack that night through friends and the rabbinic staff

-19- ..

of Nethaniel's yeshiva, who were also attending the wedding. Tr.

at 86. Chanina Samuel Bluth ("Chanina"), another of Nethaniel's

brothers, was in the army and was told that Nethaniel was injured

and transported to Tel Hashomer Hospital. Am. Compl. ~ 72. Abraham

Bluth ("Abraham"), another of Nethaniel' s brothers, was also in

the army when he received a call from his wife about Nethaniel.

Id. ~ 74. Lastly, Arieh Yehuda Bluth ("Arieh"), another brother,

was traveling in Poland on the night of the attack when he learned

that Nethaniel was injured. Id. ~ 71.

When Shoshana, Isaac, and Tsipora saw the reports of the

attack on their television, · Shoshana and Tsipora tried to call

Nethaniel and his friends at the yeshiva to check whether they

were safe. Id. ~ 68. The initial reports of the attack were not

very informative and the uncertainty of the whereabouts of

Nethaniel terrified his mother. Tr. at 82. Anxious for Nethaniel,

Shoshana called Ephraim after hearing the reports of the attack,

although she knew very few details at the time. Id. at 82-83. The

other Bluth family members heard about the attack almost at the

same time. Id. at 86. Despite continued efforts, the Bluth family

was unable to reach Nethaniel. Statement of Facts at 12.

Approximately an hour passed between learning of the attack

and the family learning from one of Nethaniel' s friends, who

-20- answered Nethaniel's cellphone, that Nethaniel was injured. 11 Id.;

Am. Compl. ~~ 66, 68. Twenty minutes after her first call, Shoshana

called Ephraim again to let him know that Nethaniel was injured

and was being moved to a hospital. Tr. at 84-85. However, there

were no details about the extent of Nethaniel's injuries or to

which hospital he was being moved. Id.

Yigal left the wedding and picked up Shoshana, Tsipora, and

Isaac at the family home to find Nethaniel. Am. Compl. ~ 70.

Without knowing which hospital Nethaniel was being taken to, they

began driving towards the center of Israel where the major

hospitals were located and they did not want to waste any time.

Tr. at 85; Statement of Facts at 12. Another half an hour had

passed before they learned that Nethaniel was taken to Tel Hashomer

Hospital. Tr. at 88. As soon as Shoshana heard this, she knew that

Nethaniel was one of the critically injured students because she

had heard on the radio that the most injured students were taken

to Tel Hashomer Hospital. Id. at 89; Isaac Depo. at 11.

The car ride to the hospital was "very quiet" and the family

members feared the worst. Statement of Facts at 13. Joseph, who

was already at Tel Hashomer Hospital and also watched the televised

reports of the attack, believed that the severely injured person

11 It is unclear whether Shoshana received a call from Nethaniel's friend or another person. Ephraim testified that a father of another student at the yeshiva called Shoshana. Tr. at ~4.

-21- on the stretcher in the clips was Nethaniel because the person was

wearing a watch that was noticeably similar to Nethaniel's unique

watch. Tr. at 4 9. Seeing those reports, he believed that his

brother was dead and was distraught. Statement of Facts at 13; Pl.

Compl. ~ 73. By the time that Nethaniel arrived at Tel Hashomer

Hospital, some of his family members had joined Joseph and saw

Nethaniel before the doctors took him back for tests. 12 Tr. at 51.

The image of Nethaniel as he arrived at the emergency room was

traumatic for Isaac, a:s Nethaniel was covered in blood and had

suffered a large head wound. Isaac Depo. at 12-16. The family

waited in the emergency room as Nethaniel went to get a CT scan

and x-ray. Id. at 13. The Bluth family did their best "to hold

each other together and be together at the hospital." Statement of

Facts at 13.

It took Ephraim a couple of days to fly back to Israel due to

El Al's flight schedule on Friday night and the observance of

Sabbath on Saturday. Tr. at 83-84. On Sunday morning, Ephraim left

New York on the first El Al flight. Id. at 90. When Ephraim arrived

from New York, early Monday morning, Nethaniel was still in

critical condition at Tel Hashomer Hospital. Id. at 90-91; Am.

Compl. ~ 67. The family was always with Nethaniel "to encourage

12 Ephraim testified that Shoshana and the three Bluth children arrived at the hospital as the surgeon was treating Nethaniel, but it is unclear whether they saw Nethaniel before he was taken into the operating room. Tr. at 54, 89.

-22- him, to tell him how happy [they] were that he was still part of

the family." Tr. at 94.

From the moment Nethaniel arrived at the hospital, Shoshana

was constantly by Nethaniel's side and constantly worried about

him. Id. at 54; Statement of Facts at 14. She was with Nethaniel

during his hearing test and cried with him when he realized that

he could not hear anything. Tr. at 52-53. After he returned home,

she let Nethaniel sleep in the bed with her and Ephraim when he

needed to do so. Id. at 95. She, like Nethaniel, struggled to sleep

and took sleeping pills. Statement of Facts at 14.

Ephraim cut back on traveling for work to be at home with his

family more often. Tr. at 95. Ephraim testified that he felt that

he had not protected Nethaniel because he was so far away and

frustrated that, as a parent, he was unable to protect Nethaniel.

Id. at 93 .. As a person who did not cry easily, Ephraim had sporadic

episodes of crying and anguish as a result of the attack and its

effects on Nethaniel. Id. at 96. Ephraim and Shoshana focused on

helping Nethaniel try to return to a normal life and deal with his

anxiety, apprehension, and fear. Id. at 94, 96.

Nethaniel's siblings came home frequently to support

Nethaniel and to be with him. Statement of Facts at 10. Isaac and

Arieh let Nethaniel sleep in the same room with them, which

Nethaniel had not done since he was in second grade. Id.; Isaac

Depo. at 21. Even years after the attack, Nethaniel' s siblings

-23- continue to be reminded of Nethaniel' s fears and injuries, and

live with the distress of the attack. Statement of Facts at 14;

Isaac Depo. at 27-29; Tsipora Depo. at 39-40. Nethaniel's siblings

are reminded of the Atzmona attack when they hear or see reports

of terrorist attacks around the world. Isaac Depo. at 29;

Deposition of Joseph Bluth at 22 [Dkt. No. 58-46]. Tsipora stated

that she experienced breakdowns on a regular basis from listening

to Nethaniel' s pains and frustrations, and hearing about other

victims of terrorist attacks. Tsipora Depo. at 38-39.

Nethaniel' s siblings were cautious around him, especially

about conversations regarding the army. Id. at 29, 31. The stress,

anxiety, and severe emotional distress that resulted from the

periods of time of not knowing what had happened to Nethaniel and

seeing him critically injured has permanently affected all members

of the Bluth family. Statement of Facts at 12. The Bluth children

have stated that the attack affected the way that they raise their

own children. Id. at 14. They continue to be sensitive to his

emotional fluctuations and medical. issues, his worries about the

future, and his concentration and comprehension problems.

Deposition of Yigal Amihai Bluth at 27, 29 [Dkt. No. 58-44].

-24- •.

B. Procedural History

On February 13, 2012, Plaintiffs Nethaniel Chaim Bluth, his

parents, Shoshana Rosalyn Bluth 13 and Ephraim Bluth, and his

siblings Tsipora Batya Bluth Reicher, Isaac Menahem Bluth, Yigal

Amihai Bluth, Arieh Yehuda Bluth, Chanina Samuel Bluth, Abraham

Bluth, and Joseph Bluth timely filed a Complaint, under 23 U.S.C.

§ 1605A(b) (2), against the Iranian Defendants, 28 U.S.C. § 1605A;

see Compl. [Dkt. No. 3]. Plaintiffs subsequently amended their

original Complaint on November 7, 2012, to include two additional

Defendants - the Syrian Arab Republic and the Syrian Military

Intelligence ("Syrian Defendants") following further

invest{gation that also connected the Syrian Defendants to Hamas. 14

See Am. Compl.; Pls.' Mot. for Extension of Time for Service on

Def s. at 2 [Dkt. No. 23] . Plaintiffs claim compensatory damages

for pain and suffering, economic damages, solatium damages, and

punitive damages resulting from the March 7, 2002 attack in

Atzmona. Pl. Compl. ~~ 10-19.

After several unsuccessful attempts at service of process and

several extensions of time by this Court, Defendants were finally

13Shoshana Bluth has since passed away and her death was noted by the Court on September 2,, 2015. [Dkt. No. 46].

14 For the purposes of evaluating Plaintiff's Motion for Default in this Judgment, the Court does not address the Syrian Defendants. See Order Severing Pls.' Claims Against Syrian Defendants & Clerk Establishing New Action for Pls.' Claims Against These Two Entities on April. 29, 2015 [Dkt. No. 35].

-25- served on May 7, 2014. Return of Service/Affidavit as to Iranian

Defs. [Dkt. No. 25-1]; see infra, 29-31. Upon the Iranian 1 Defendants' failure to appear (within sixty days) or otherwise

respond to the Complaint, Plaintiffs filed the pending Motion for

Default Judgment on February 23, 2015. Aff. in Support of Entry of

Default of Iranian Def s. [ Dkt. No. 27]; and Mot. for Entry of

Default Judgment as to Liability [ Dkt. No. 4 8] . Subsequently,

pursuant to Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 55 (a), the Clerk

entered a default against Iranian Defendants on February 24, 2015.

Clerk's Entry of Default as to the Iranian Defs. [Dkt. No. 28];

see 28 U.S.C. § 1608 (d).

On January 4, 2016, this Court held an evidentiary hearing.

[Dkt. No. 60]. Nethaniel and Ephraim Bluth appeared as witnesses

and gave testimony. The Court and Plaintiffs had previously

discussed that the expert witnesses did not need to appear and the

Court could rely on their expert reports alone. Tr. at 7-8; see

also Pls.' Status Report Regarding the Evidentiary Hr'g [Dkt. No.

53]. Plaintiffs' exhibits were admitted into evidence. [Dkt. No.

58]. At the Court's request, Plaintiffs submitted their proposed

Statement of Facts on January 19, 2016. [Dkt. No. 59].

II. LEGAL STANDARD

Before this Court can enter a default judgment against Iran

under FSIA, plaintiffs are required to establish their claims "by

evidence satisfactory to the court." 28 U.S.C. § 1608(e); see also

-26- Han Kirn v. Democratic People's Republic of Korea, 774 F.3d 1044,

1047 (D.C. Cir. 2014) ("when the defendant State fails to appear

and the plaintiff seeks a default judgment, FSIA leaves it to the

court to determine precisely how much and what kinds of evidence

the plaintiff must provide, requiring only that it be 'satisfactory

to the court'"). The Court must scrutinize the plaintiff's

allegations and "may not unquestioningly accept a complaint's

unsupported allegations as true." Reed v. Islamic Republic of Iran,

845 F. Supp. 2d 204, 211 I (D.D.C. 2012). However, an evidentiary

hearing is not required; a "plaintiff may establish proof by

affidavit." Id.; Weinstein, 184 F. Supp. 2d at 19.

III. ANALYSIS

A. Jurisdiction Under FSIA

The Foreign Sovereign Irnrnuni ties Act ( "FSIA") provides the

sole legal means by which a plaintiff may bring a suit against a

foreign state. Reed, 845 F. Supp. 2d at 209. FSIA protects the

dignity of foreign states as a matter of international law, while

providing a forum for justice and legitimate grievances by

providing narrow exceptions to irnrnuni ty. See Murphy v. Islamic

Republic of Iran, 778 F. Supp. 2d 70, 71 (D.D.C. 2011); see also

28 U.S.C. § 1602. This is consistent with Congress' intent to hold

state sponsors of terrorism responsible for their crimes. Han Kirn,

774 F.3d at 1049. The statute provides compensatory damages and

punitive damages, if a foreign state that is or was a state sponsor

-27- of terrorism is found to be liable. 28 U.S.C. § 1605A(c).

Compensatory damages may include economic harms, solatium, and

pain and suffering. Moradi, 77 F. Supp. 3d at 69. A violation may

be "prosecuted in any Federal judicial district in which the

underlying offense was committed, or in any other Federal judicial

district as provided by law." 28 U.S.C. § 1391(f) (4).

In 2008, Congress repealed Section 1605 (a) ( 7) of FSIA and

replaced it with Section 1605A, which broadened the jurisdiction

of federal courts and created a federal stat~tory cause of action

for those victims and their legal representatives against state

sponsors of terrorism for terrorist acts committed by the State,

its agents, or employees. Owens v. Republic of Sudan, 826 F. Supp.

2d 128, 147 (D.D.C. 2011) (internal citations omitted). FSIA

"imposes tight constraints on courts required to decide whether an

act satisfies the terrorism exception's substantive elements," but

when the foreign state fails to appear and the plaintiff seeks a

default judgment, FSIA leaves discretion to the courts to decide

the standard. Han, 774 F.3d at 1046-47.

Before the court can enter a default judgment under FSIA, a

plaintiff must establish his or her claims "by evidence

satisfactory to the court." 28 U.S.C. § 1608(e). This "satisfactory

to the court" standard is "identical to the standard for entry of

default judgments against the United States in Federal Rule of

Civil Procedure 55(e) ."Owens, 826 F. Supp. 2d at 134. Therefore,

-28- the Court cannot "unquestioningly accept a complaint's unsupported

allegations as true." Moradi, 77 F. Supp. 3d at 64 (citing Reed,

845 F. Supp. 2d at 211-12). The court determines how much and what

kinds of evidence the plaintiff must provide to meet the threshold.

Id. at 65. As previously mentioned, a plaintiff may establish proof

by affidavit, and an evidentiary hearing is not required. See

supra 26; see also Moradi, 77 F. Supp. 3d at 65; Weinstein, 184 F.

Supp. 2d at 19.

A foreign state that engages in "an act of torture, an

extrajudicial killing, an aircraft sabotage, a hostage taking, or

provides material support or resources for such an act if such act

or provision of material support or resources is engaged in by an

official, employee, or agent of such foreign state while acting

within the scope of his or her office, employment, or agency" is

not immune in the federal courts of the United States. 28 U.S.C.

§ 1605A(a) (1). Under FSIA' s "terrorism exception," a plaintiff can

bring suit against a "foreign state sponsor of terrorism" when (a)

there is effective service of process and personal jurisdiction,

and (b) there is subject-matter jurisdiction. Reed, 845 F. Supp.

2d at 209.

1. Personal Jurisdiction & Service of Process

FSIA sets forth the necessary elements of service to establish

personal jurisdiction in 28 U.S.C. § 1608, and gives the methods

in numerical order of preference. Worley v. Islamic Republic of

-29- Iran, 75 F. Supp. 3d 311, 327 (D.D.C. 2014). When a method of

service is unavailable or unsuccessful, a plaintiff may attempt

the next method available. Id. The first preference is for "any

special arrangement[s]" for service between the plaintiff and the

foreign state (i.e. a contract provision). See 28 U.S.C. §

1608(a) (1); Int'l Road Fed'n v. Embassy of the Democratic Republic

of the Congo, 131 F. Supp. 2d 248, 251 (D.D.C. 2001). If no special

arrangement exists, the second option is service "in accordance

with an applicable international convention on service of judicial

documents." 28 U.S.C. § 1608 (a) (2). In this case, both of these

options were unavailable because the parties do not have a special

arrangement, nor is there an applicable international convention

for service with Iran. See Ben-Rafael v. Islamic Republic of Iran,

540 F. Supp. 2d 39, 52 (D.D.C. 2008). In addition, Iran does not

accept service through its Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Tehran,

Iran. See Worley, 75 F. Supp. 3d at 327; see generally Request for

Service of Process on Def. Iran [Dkt. No. 17].

Hence, Plaintiffs served Iran pursuant to 28 U.S.C. §

1608 (a) (3). Section 1608 (a) (3) requires that "one copy of the

summons, complaint, and notice of suit, together with a translation

of each document into the language of the foreign state" be sent

through any form of mail that requires a signed receipt by "the

clerk of the court to the head of the ministry of foreign affairs

of the foreign state concerned." 28 U.S.C. § 1608(a) (3). A copy of

-30- the Certificate of Mailing [Dkt. No. 11] filed on March 5, 2013,

shows that the appropriate copies were sent by the clerk of this

court to the head of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Iran. 28

U.S.C. §1608 (c); see 28 U.S.C. § 1608 (a) (3). Unfortunately,

service of process under Section 1608 (a) (3) was unsuccessful

because it was not made within thirty days. See 'Summons Returned

Unexecuted as to Iranian Defs. [Dkt. No. 12]; Aff. Requesting

Foreign Mailing [Dkt. No. 14].

Thereafter, Plaintiffs proceeded to the next available

method, as described in Section 1608(a) (4), a Request from

Plaintiffs for Clerk to Effect Service on Iranian Defs. [Dkt.

No. 16]. Plaintiffs sent two copies of the summons, complaint, and

notice of suit, along with Farsi translations to the Clerk of the

Court, who sent them to the Secretary of State in Washington,

District of Columbia. See 28 U.S.C. § 1608(a) (4). Pursuant to the

statute, the Secretary of State then transmitted one copy through

the Embassy of Switzerland in Tehran, Iran and sent "a certified

copy of the diplomatic note indicating when the papers were

transmitted to the clerk of the court." - Id.; - see Certificate of --

Mailing [Dkt. No. 17]; Return of Service/Affidavit of Summons and

Complaint Executed as to the Iranian Defs. [Dkt. No. 25-1].

In light of these filings, the Court concludes that Plaintiffs

have complied with 28 U.S.C. § 1608(a) (4) and have successfully

effectuated service on the Iranian Defendants.

-31- 2. Subject Matter Jurisdiction

A court in the United States has original jurisdiction over

a claim that is a (1) nonjury civil action (2) against a foreign

state (3) as to the claim(s) for relief in personam, (4) provided

that the foreign state is not entitled to immunity under sections

1605-1607 of FSIA or under any applicable international agreement.

28 U.S.C. § 1330(a); Worley, 75 F. Supp. 3d at 323-24. All of

section 1330(a) 's requirements have been met in this case.

First, Plaintiffs have not demanded a jury trial. See Am.

Compl. Second, the Iranian Defendants are considered a "foreign

state" as defined by FSIA. 15 See 28 U.S.C. § 1330(a); Worley, 75

F. Supp. 3d at 324. This jurisdiction has taken a "cat~gorical

approach" to defining foreign government-related entities as a

"foreign state" if the core functions of the entity are

governmental. Id. (citing Roeder v. Islamic Republic of Iran, 333

F.3d 228, 234 (D.C. Cir .. 2003). Third, this action is against the

15A "foreign state" is defined to include "a political subdivision of a foreign state or an agency or instrumentality of a foreign state as defined in subsection (b) ." 28 U.S.C. § 1603(a). The D.C. jurisdiction has adopted a "categorical approach" to determining the legal status of foreign government-related entities for FSIA cases and "if the core functions of the entity are governmental, it is considered the foreign state itself." Worley, 75 F. Supp. 3d at 324 (internal quotations omitted). MOIS and IRGC perform governmental functions. See supra, 5. Therefore, MOIS and IRGC may be treated as "foreign states" for the purposes of Section 1603(a) of FSIA.

-32- Iranian Defendants as legal persons, not against property, and

therefore the claims seek relief in personam. See id.

The fourth requirement looks to whether an exception to

sovereign immunity exists and has several sub-requirements. The

FSIA exception to foreign sovereign immunity is codified at 28

U.S. C. § 1605A. A foreign state has no sovereign immunity when

"[1] money damages are sought [2] against a foreign state [3] for

personal injury or death that was [ 4] caused by [ 5] an act of

torture, extrajudicial killing, aircraft sabotage, hostage taking,

or the provision of material support or resources for such an act

if such act or provision of material support or resources is

engaged in by an official, employee, or agent of such foreign state

while acting within the scope of his or her office, employment, or

agency." 28 U.S.C. § 1605A; Worley, 75 F. Supp. 3d at 324.

As to the first sub-requirement, Plaintiffs identify and seek

only monetary damages for their alleged injuries. Second, as stated

above, the Iranian Defendants are "foreign states" as defined by

the statute. See supra 32. Third, Plaintiffs' personal injuries

and all claims arise from the attack, which constitute the type of

claims for personal injury required for jurisdiction. Fourth,

there must be a showing of "some reasonable connection between the

act or omission of the defendant and the damages which the

plaintiff has suffered." Worley, 75 F. Supp. 3d at 325 (citing

Valore v. Islamic Republic of Iran, 700 F. Supp. 2d 52, 66 (D.D.C.

-33- 2010)). Thus, a plaintiff need not show that the injury would not

have occurred "but for" the defendant's actions. Id. Here,

Plaintiffs have sufficiently demonstrated that Defendants have

financially funded, and provided tactical support and equipment to

Hamas. See supra, 5-6. Given Hamas's stated mission and purpose,

financial support to Hamas is reasonably considered to be support

of its mission and terrorists attacks. Consequently, the Iranian

Defendants have assisted Hamas in carrying out the Atzmona attack.

The facts demonstrate the kind of reasonable connection required

under section 1605A.

Fifth, Plaintiffs must show that Iran provided "material

support or resources" "knowing or intending that they are to be

used in preparation for, or in carrying dut," a violation of the

various enumerated sections. 18 U.S.C. § 2339A(a). Broadly ' defined, "material support or resources" includes "any property,

tangible or intangible, or service, including currency or monetary

instruments or financial securities, financial services, lodging,

training, expert advice or assistance, safehouses, false

documentation or identification, communications equipment,

facilities, weapons, lethal substances, explosives, personnel, and

transportation, except medicine or religious materials." Torture

Victim Protection Act of 1991 ("TVPA"), 18 U.S.C. § 2339A. The

facts found by this Court demonstrate that Iran has provided Hamas

-34- •.

with financial support as well as tactical training and planning

support. See supra, 6.

For these reasons, the Court finds that an exception to

sovereign immunity exists because this case satisfies each element

of section 1605A(a) (1). In addition, all of section 1330 (a)' s

requirements are satisfied and the Court has original jurisdiction

to hear Plaintiffs' claims.

In order for a claim to be heard, Section 1605A imposes three

additional requirements that must be met: ( 1) the foreign state

was designated a state sponsor of terrorism at the time of the

act; ( 2) the claimant or victim was a national of the United

States; and ( 3) in cases where the act occurred in the foreign

state against whom suit has been brought, the foreign state was

afforded a reasonable opportunity to arbitrate the claim in

accordance with the accepted international rules of arbitration.

2 8 U. S . C. § 16 0 SA (a) ( 2) .

First, Iran has been designated as a state sponsor of

terrorism since 1984 and remained designated as such at the time

of the act. See supra, 5; Moradi, 77 F. Supp. 3d at 65. At all

times relevant to this action, Iran has been a state sponsor of

terrorism. Id. (citing Dr. Levitt and Dr. Clawson' s affidavits).

Second, Plaintiffs are all United States citizens. Pls.' Exs. 33-

42 [Dkt. No. 57-33, to -42]. Lastly, Plaintiffs were not required

by statute to afford Defendants a reasonable opportunity to

-35- arbitrate because the act at issue did not occur in the defendant

state. 28 U.S.C. § 1605A(a) (2); see Worley, 75 F. Supp. 3d at 327.

B. Liability Under § 1605A

Having found that Plaintiffs have a private right of action

under§ 1605A(c), having determined that the Iranian Defendants

are a "state sponsor of terrorism" who provided "material support

or resources" to Hamas, and having found that Hamas was responsible

for the March 7, 2002 attack in Atzmona, supra 5, Iran is liable

under § 1605A(c) for any personal injuries caused by Hamas' s

attack.

To find liability, the Court must first identify the relevant

law. Worley, 75 F. Supp. 3d at 335 (internal citations omitted).

"Based on the D. C. Circuit's guidance, district courts in this

jurisdiction 'rely.on well-established principles of law, such as

those found in the Restatement. (Second) of Torts and other leading

treatises, as well as those principles that have been adopted by

the majority of state jurisdictions' to define the elements and

scope of these theories of recovery." Id. (citing Oveissi v.

Islamic Republic of Iran, 879 F. Supp. 2d 44, 54 (D.D.C. 2012)).

1. Nathaniel's Claims

Nethaniel brings claims for battery and intentional

infliction of emotional distress ("IIED"), and his family members

bring a claim for solatium. The Iranian Defendants are liable for

battery if, when they provided material support and resources to

-36- Hamas, they acted "intending to cause a harmful or offensive

contact with, or an imminent apprehension of such a contact by,

those attacked and a harmful contact with those attacked directly

or indirectly resulted." Valore, 700 F. Supp. 2d at 76-77 (internal

quotations omitted) (citing Restatement (Second) of Torts § 13).

"Harmful contact" includes "any physical impairment of the

condition of another's body, or physical pain or illness." Id.

As set forth in detail above, Nethaniel has met his burden

and has clearly established the necessary elements of battery.

Defendants "acted with intent to cause harmful contact and the

immediate apprehension thereof" because "acts of terrorism are, by

their very nature intended to harm and to terrify by instilling

fear of such harm." See id. The affidavits of the various experts

have proven that the Iranian Defendants gave financial, tactical,

and other support to Hamas during the relevant time period.

Consequently, the Court can infer that Iran knew it was supporting

and encouraging terrorist attacks which could include a Hamas

member attacking the Atzmona yeshiva with the intent to cause

injuries and fatalities. See supra, 10-11. There is no question

that Nethaniel has also shown that such "harmful contact" did in

fact occur. See supra, 13-19.

Nethaniel' s second claim is for IIED. "An act that would

otherwise constitute IIED gives rise to liability under the FSIA."

Reed, 845 F. Supp. 2d at 212. Under District of Columbia law, the

-37- ·:1

elements of a cause of action for IIED are " ( 1) extreme and

outrageous conduct on the part of the defendant which (2)

intentionally or recklessly (3) causes the plaintiff severe

emotional distress." Ben-Rafael, 540 F. Supp. 2d at 56; see also

Worley, 75 F. Supp. 3d at 336 (citing Restatement (Second) of Torts

§ 46(2) (a)).

All three elements of IIED are satisfied. First., acts of

terrorism are per se extreme and outrageous conduct. Ben-Rafael,

540 F. Supp. 2d at 56 (internal citations omitted). Second, the

attack on the yeshiva was intended to cause emotional distress.

See id. (stating that intent or recklessness can be inferred from

the outrageousness of the act). Lastly, Nethaniel has shown that

he experienced severe emotional distress because of the terrorist

attack. Moreover, he still suffers from flashbacks, nightmares,

and fears and anxieties that resulted from the Atzmona attack. See

supra, 16-19.

2. Claims of Nethaniel's Parents and Siblings

Nethaniel's parents and siblings allege one count of solatium

against the Iranian Defendants. "Solatium claims under the FSIA

are functionally identical to claims for intentional infliction of

emotional distress." Moradi, 77 F. Supp. 3d 71-72 (internal

citations omitted). Such damages are intended for "mental anguish,

bereavement and grief that those with a close personal relationship

to the decedent experience as well as the harm caused by the loss

-38- of the decedent's society and comfort." Id. at 72 (internal

quotations omitted). Solatium damages are also available to

compensate those related to persons injured, rather than killed,

in a terrorist attack. Id. (citing Spencer v. Islamic Republic of

Iran, 71 F. Supp. 3d 23, 27 (D. D.C. 2014)). Courts may presume

"spouses and those in direct lineal relationships with victims of

terrorism suffer compensable mental anguish." Id. "As for

siblings, testimony proving a close emotional relationship will

usually be sufficient to sustain claims for solatium." Id.

The record presented establishes that the March 7, 2002

Atzmona attack and Nethaniel's resulting injuries caused and

continue to cause Nethaniel' s parents and siblings significant

mental anguish and emotional distress. See supra, 19-25. Ephraim

reduced his work travel because he felt that he had not protected

Nethaniel; he also experienced sporadic episodes of crying, which

did not start until after the attack. See supra, 23-24. Shoshana

experienced a great deal of anguish and anxiety on the night of

the attack and because of not knowing what had happened to her

son. After the attack, Shoshana cried with Nethaniel when he

realized that he could not hear anything at all during his hearing

test, and she later helped him with daily activities. See supra,

15-16. She relied on sleeping pills and constantly worried about

and stayed near Nethaniel.

-39- Nethaniel's siblings were also affected. They came home more

frequently and helped him with daily activities. See supra, 16-

17. His siblings produced sworn deposi tions16 that were

subsequently admitted into evidence and which show that their

relationship with Nethaniel was greatly affected in the kinds ~f

conversations and activities they could do together. See supra,

24. The Court is satisfied that the Bluth family's emotional

distress was clearly brought on as a result of the terrorist

attack. Nethaniel's parents and all of Nethaniel's siblings except

Chanina Bluth are entitled to solatium damages. 17 See Spencer, 71

F. Supp. 3d at 27. Chanina has not given any testimony, nor did

any testimony speak directly to his harms, and therefore there can

be no finding of liability with regard to him.

16 All of the Bluth children, except Chanina Bluth, submitted sworn depositions and each was admitted into evidence. See Bluth Depositions [Dkt. Nos. 58-44, -45, -46, -47, -48, -49]. 17 Shoshana Bluth passed away on August 6, 2015. Our Court of Appeals has ruled that the Court may, sua sponte, substitute an appropriate person, such as a close relative, as a representative of her estate, Mohammadi v. Islamic Republic of Iran, 947 F. Supp. 2d 48, 55 (D.D.C. 2013), aff'd, 782 F.3d 9 (D.C. Cir. 2015). In addition, Fed. R. Civ. P. 25 (a) (1) provides that "[i] f a party dies and the claim is not extinguished, the court may order substitution of the proper party." Finally, there is more than adequate evidence describing the close relationship between Shoshana Bluth and her injured son, and the extent of her anxiety and grief at the time of his injury and during the rest of his life.

-40- C. Damages Under § 1605A

1. Compensatory Damages

Plaintiffs seek compensatory damages for pain and suffering,

economic harms, and solatium, as well as punitive damages. Am.

Compl.

damages, solatium, pain and suffering, and punitive damages." 28

U.S.C. § 1605A(c). "Accordingly, those who survived the attack may

recover damages for their pain and suffering, as well as any other

economic losses caused by their injuries; . . family members can

recover solatium for their emotional injury; and all plaintiffs

can recover punitive damages." Oveissi, 879 F. Supp. 2d at 55. To

obtain compensatory damages, Plaintiff must "prove that the

consequences of the defendants' acts were reasonably certain to

occur, and they must prove the amount of damages by a reasonable

estimate." See, Reed, 845 F. Supp. 2d at 213; Price v. Socialist

People's Libyan Arab Jamahiriya, 384 F. Supp. 2d 120, 134 (D.D.C.

2005).

a. Pain and Suffering

Nethaniel seeks damages against Defendants of $10 million on

one count of battery and $10 million on one count of IIED. Am.

Compl.

To determine pain and suffering awards for injured victims

under FSIA, the Court must consider factors including "the severity

of the pain immediately following the injury, the length of

-41- hospitalization, and the extent of the impairment that will remain

with the victim for the rest of his or her life." Owens, 71 F.

Supp. 3d at 259 (internal citations omitted). A plaintiff who has

alleged multiple claims is limited to recover from the tortfeasor

under only one of the theories, although the tortfeasor may be

liable under more than one. Valore, 700 F. Supp. 2d at 77 (stating

that the plaintiffs who had claimed assault, battery, and IIED

could recover under only one of any such theories) (citing Beer v.

Islamic Republic of Iran, 574 F. Supp. 2d 1, 13 (D.D.C. 2008)).

i. Count 1 - Battery

Nethaniel claims relief for his "great pain and suffering;"

for extensive and continuing medical treatment; for expenses

including hospitalization, physician's services, nursing care, and

rehabilitation treatment; and for diminished earning capacity -

all resulting from the Atzmona attack. Am. Compl. ~ 78.

The evidentiary hearing and depositions establish that the

pain and suffering Nethaniel experienced during and since the

attack was a reasonably certain consequence of Defendant's acts.

The attacker, Farahat, fired shots and threw grenades into

Nethaniel's classroom. As a result, Nethaniel was severely injured

by a grenade explosion, requiring a number of surgeries as a result

of the attack. He was subsequently hospitalized for over a week

and was required to return to the hospital for outpatient

rehabilitation. Over a decade later, Nethaniel continues to suffer

-42- physically, including permanent hearing loss in one ear, tinnitus,

and pain from the shrapnel still in his body. He continues to

experience increased stress and anxiety, paranoia, nightmares, and

extreme emotional fluctuations. See supra, 13-19. Thus, Nethaniel

is entitled to pain and suffering damages for his injuries,

hospitalization, rehabilitation, and continuing physical and

psychological pain. See Moradi, 77 F. Supp. 3d at 69-70~

The Court now turns to the question of what amount of damages

for pain and suffering is appropriate. It is clear that "putting

a number on these kinds of harms can be difficult." Price, 384 F.

Supp. 2d at 134.

This jurisdiction has developed a general framework for

assessing pain and suffering awards for victims of terrorist

attacks. "Plaintiffs who suffer serious physical injuries tend to

receive a $5 million award; plaintiffs who suffer relatively more

serious or numerous injuries may receive $7 million (or more); and

plaintiffs whose injuries are relatively less serious or who only

suffer emotional injuries may receive something closer to $1. 5

million." Owens, 71 F. Supp. 3d at 259; see also Valore, 700 F.

Supp. 2d at 84-85; O'Brien v. Islamic Republic of Iran, 853 F.

Supp. 2d 44, 46-47 (D.D.C. 2012).

In a case where a plaintiff suffers from physical injuries

such as compound fractures, severe flesh wounds, and wounds and

scars from shrapnel, as well as lasting and severe psychological

-43- pain, this Court has awarded a baseline of $5 million dollars.

Valore, 700 F. Supp. 2d at 84 (citing Peterson v. Islamic Republic

of Iran, 515 F. Supp. 2d 25, 54 (D.D.C. 2007). Nethaniel suffered

serious head and hand injuries, some of which required stitches

and plastic surgery. The right side of his face and head was cut

so deeply that the bone was visible. See supra, 14. Nethaniel's

severe flesh wounds have left scars and his wounds from the

shrapnel continue to affect him. For some time following the

attack, Nethaniel experienced severe paranoia, anxiety, a speech

impediment, and fear of loud noises and the dark. Most

significantly of all, he has lost all hearing in one of his ears-

a condition which can never change. See supra, 15-16. Finally, he

continues to suffer from lasting psychological and emotional pain.

See supra, 17-18. Accordingly, and because of the loss of hearing

in one ear, the Court will award Plaintiff $6 million on his count

of battery against the Iranian Defendants. See Peterson v. Islamic

Republic of Iran, 515 F. Supp. 2d 25, 52 n. 26 (D.D.C. 2007);

Valore, 700 F. Supp. 2d at 84.

ii. Count II - IIED

Nethaniel claims relief for "extreme mental anguish and pain

and suffering" resulting from the loss of his friends, intense

physical injury, pain, discomfort, and inconvenience in his IIED

count, Am. Compl. ~ 81. The Court has found Defendants liable on

this count, see supra, 36-38.

-44- However, because Nethaniel has made a claim for battery,

seeking similar damages for pain and suffering under that count,

see supra, 38-39, it would constitute impermissible double

recovery to allow him to recover for pain and suffering under both

counts. See Valore, 700 F. Supp. 2d at 77. This jurisdiction has

found that a plaintiff who claims multiple theories is limited to

recover under only one. See supra, 39. Accordingly, the Court

cannot award Nethaniel damages for pain and suffering on the count

of IIED against the Iranian Defendants.

b. Economic Damages

Under FSIA, injured victims may recover economic damages,

which typically include lost wages (both past and future), benefits

and retirement pay, and other out-of-pocket expenses. Owens, 71 F.

Supp. 3d at 258. The plaintiff must "prove the amount of damages

by a reasonable estimate." Reed, 845 F. Supp. 2d at 213. Unlike

damages awarded for pain and suffering, "lost earnings are not

hard to quantify and the Court will not excuse plaintiffs' failure

to support the claim for lost earnings with competent evidence."

Moradi, 77 F. Supp. 3d at 71.

As in Moradi, where the court concluded that the evidence was

insufficient to support any award of economic damages because the

plaintiff 1 s declaration was the only evidence supporting his claim

for lost earnings, Nethaniel has also failed to show the requisite

evidentiary support to estimate his lost income. See Moradi, 77 F.

-45- Supp. 3d at 71. Nethaniel's testimony neither shows an estimate of

his lost past and future income, nor does it include any

specificity on what kind of job he wanted prior to the attack other

than completing his mandatory military service. See id. Therefore,

there is not sufficient evidence for the Court to award economic

damages.

c. Solatium Damages

Shoshana, Ephraim, Tsipora, Chanina, Arieh, Yigal, Isaac,

Abraham, and Joseph Bluth claim solatium damages resulting from

injuries to Nethaniel. Am. Compl. <[

and/or severally, claim $10 million for severe emotional distress,

extraordinary grief, and mental anguish. Id.

As with damages for pain and suffering, solatium damages are

difficult to quantify. Moradi, 77 F. Supp. 3d at 72. This

jurisdiction has held that "where the victim does not die~ but

instead only suffers injury, the solatium awards (based on the

framework set forth in Estate of Heiser v. Islamic Republic of

Iran, 466 F. Supp. 2d 229 (D.D.C. 2006) are halved: each parent

receives $2.5 million and each sibling receives $1.25 million."

Id. (citing Owens, 71 F. Supp. 3d at 260; Peterson v. Islamic

Republic of Iran, 515 F. Supp. 2d 25, 52 (D.D.C. 2007); see also

Reed, 845 F. Supp. 2d at 214). Accordingly, Ephraim and Shoshana

will each receive $2.5 million; and each of the Bluth siblings,

except Chanina, will receive $1.25 million.

-46- 2. Punitive Damages

Plaintiffs seek $500 million in punitive damages. Am. Compl.

' 86. "Punitive damages is not an independent cause of action."

Worley, 75 F. Supp. 3d at 337 (internal citations omitted). Such

damages are "awarded to punish a defendant for particularly

egregious conduct, and to serve as a deterrent to future conduct

of the same type." Weinstein, 184 F. Supp. 2d at 23-24. The

language of FSIA specifically "provides courts with the power to

award punitive damages against an agency or instrumentality of a

foreign state in a case" brought pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1605A.

See Weinstein, 184 F. Supp. 2d at 24. Therefore, the Court has the

power to award punitive damages to Plaintiffs on their section

1605A claims.

To calculate the proper punitive damages award, the Court

considers "four factors: (1) the character of the defendants' act;

(2) the nature and extent of harm to the plaintiffs that the

defendants caused or intended to cause; (3) the need for

deterrence; and (4) the wealth of the defendants." Moradi, 77 F.

Supp. 3d at 73; Weinstein, 184 F. Supp. 2d at 24 (citing

Restatement (Second) Torts § 908).

First, the character of the Iranian Defendants' attack is

clearly most heinous. See, e.g., Oveissi, 879 F. Supp. 2d at 56;

see also Weinstein, 184 F. Supp. 2d at 25. "The defendants'

demonstrated policy of encouraging, supporting and directing a

-47- campaign of deadly terrorism is evidence of the monstrous character

of the [attack] that inflicted maximum pain and suffering on

innocent people." Campuzano v. Islamic Republic, of Iran, 281 F.

Supp. 2d 258, 278 (D.D.C. 2003). Second, the Court has already

found that Nethaniel has satisfactorily proven the severe extent

of his injuries, which was intended by Defendants. Third, punitive

damages would serve as a deterrence because Defendants have a

history and "demonstrated policy" of supporting terrorist

activities. See Valore, 700 F. Supp. 2d at 88. Fourth, Iran is a

sovereign and has substantial wealth. See Weinstein, 184 F. Supp.

2d at 25; see also Oveissi, 879 F. Supp. 2d at 56.

In Moradi, after finding that "societal interests in

punishment and deterrence warrant imposition of punitive

sanctions," the Court decided to award punitive damages in an

amount equal to the total compensatory damages awarded. See Moradi,

77 F. Supp. 3d at 73; see also Onsongo v. Republic of Sudan, 60 F.

Supp. 3d 144, 152-153 (D.D.C. 2014).

Alternatively, the courts in Weinstein and Valore have chosen

to base the punitive damages based on Iran's funding of MOIS. In

Weinstein, the court found that $150 million was an appropriate

award in punitive damages. 184 F. Supp. 2d at 25-26. The court was

satisfied with that amount, even though several plaintiffs were

seeking punitive damages from one defendant and there was a

potential of depleting the defendant's limited fund. Id.

-48- In Valore, the court found, based on expert testimony, that

an award of punitive damages would serve to deter Iran from

supporting terrorist activities. 700 F. Supp. 2d at 88. The expert

testified that any amount of punitive damages based on a multiplier

between three and ten of the known amount of Iran's annual cash

assistance to the specific terrorist group would affect the conduct

of Iran. Id. at 88-89. Consequently, the Valore court accepted the

multiplier of five and awarded $1 billion in punitive damages for

the hundreds of military people who died or were injured and their

families. See id. at 60-61, 89-90.

As in Weinstein and Valore, the Defendants in this case did

not directly carry out the attack, but funded Hamas, which then

carried it out. That fact is far from the detention and torture

that was directly carried out by the defendants in Moradi. While

Defendants' acts are closer to those committed in Weinstein and

Valore, it is doubtful whether a large amount resulting from an

expenditure-times-multiplier method would have the deterrent

effect that it might have had in times past. Given the frequency

of these attacks and the lack of any evidence that high awards

have successfully deterred them, the Court finds that neither the

large sum of $500 million requested by Plaintiffs nor the sum

resulting from the expenditure-times-multiplier method is

appropriate.

-49- In view of the fact that it was Hamas, not Defendants, who

actually committed the terrorist action, that Nethaniel has

suffered life-time injuries that were intended by Defendants, and

that his family members were deeply affected by his physical,

emotional, and psychological harms, the Court concludes that $25

million in punitive damages is appropriate.

IV. CONCLUSION

For the reasons stated above, the Court will grant Plaintiffs'

motion for default judgment and enter judgment for Plaintiffs in

the amounts specified above. A separate Default Judgment

accompanies this Memorandum Opinion.

August 25, 2016

Copies to: attorneys on record via ECF

-50-