Opinion ID: 2762944
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: The Gaza Flotilla and Dr. Bauer’s Lawsuit

Text: According to Dr. Bauer’s complaint, his lawsuit arises from the 2007 rise to power of Hamas, a terrorist organization in the Gaza Strip. After Hamas seized power in Gaza and began carrying out systematic rocket and missile attacks against civilian targets in Israel, Israel imposed a maritime 9 blockade to limit Hamas’s ability to receive material support that would facilitate the attacks. Dr. Bauer alleges that, in response to the blockade, antiIsrael organizations in the United States, together with violent and militant anti-Israel organizations from other countries, initiated efforts to breach Israel’s blockade, to harm Israeli security, and to support the Hamas-controlled government in the Gaza Strip. These groups allegedly raised money within the United States and through U.S. bank accounts, which they used to “furnish[] and fit[] out and attempt[] to furnish and fit out the Defendant Vessels, with the intent that the Defendant Vessels be employed in the service of a colony, district, or people [Hamas-controlled Gaza], to cruise and commit hostilities against” Israel, “with whom the United States is at peace.” Compl. ¶ 18, reprinted in App. 6. On June 13, 2011, Dr. Bauer sent a letter to Attorney General Eric Holder, identifying the alleged violation of the Neutrality Act and providing the names of 14 vessels that were involved. On July 11, he filed a complaint in the District Court, setting out the allegations above and requesting that the court commence forfeiture proceedings against the vessels. On its own motion, the District Court issued an order to show cause why Dr. Bauer’s complaint should not be dismissed for lack of standing. The court also requested, pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 517, that the Department of Justice file a statement of interest on standing in the case. After receiving submissions from Dr. Bauer and the Government, the District Court dismissed the complaint on the ground that the Neutrality Act did not authorize a private suit for forfeiture and, therefore, Dr. Bauer had failed to state a claim on which relief could be granted. Bauer, 942 F. Supp. 2d at 43. Dr. Bauer now appeals. 10