Former U.S. diplomats have filed an amicus brief supporting the Jordan-based Arab Bank, arguing in papers filed this week with the U.S. Supreme Court in favor of affirming dismissal of a suit filed by victims of terrorist plots that they say the bank funded.

The diplomats argue among other things that it is critical for political stability in the Middle East that civil liability should not extend to a bank the plaintiffs allege was tied to terrorist groups that carried out attacks.