Back to Barbara Lee on Israel

Text of Resolution is below.

From Palestine Note:

More than a year after Israeli border police shot American activist Tristan Anderson in the head with a tear gas canister, Congresswoman Barbara Lee has introduced a resolution calling for an investigation into the incident.

Anderson, 38, from Oakland, CA, was shot in the West Bank village of Ni'lin in March 2009 after an unarmed demonstration against the construction of Israel's West Bank separation wall. The tear gas shell caused severe brain damage, and Anderson remains in a coma in a Tel Aviv hospital.

Lee, who represents Anderson's Bay Area district, introduced a resolution in the House of Representatives last week calling for a US government investigation into the shooting.

“More than a year after Tristan Anderson’s injury, serious questions remain regarding the circumstances that led to this tragic event,” Lee said in a statement on her website.

“This resolution calls for the completion of a full, fair, and expeditious investigation by the U.S. government, as well as increased cooperation and transparency between the US and the Government of Israel regarding this case.”

“My resolution expresses support and sympathy to Tristan Anderson, his family and friends during this trying time. Our thoughts and prayers remain with Tristan and his loved ones as he continues to recover from his injuries,” she added.

Israel's Justice Ministry closed an investigation into Anderson's near-fatal injury in December citing a "lack of criminal culpability." Then, in March, the ministry reopened the investigation after Anderson's lawyer, Michael Sfard, complained that the probe was hampered by "severe omissions." Government investigators failed to make a field visit to the scene of the shooting, he said, and also misidentified the border police involved in the shooting.

After the shooting Rep. Lee reportedly advocated for Anderson's family behind the scenes, and also made a statement about the case on the floor of the House about three weeks after the shooting.

Nil'in residents and their international supporters hold weekly nonviolent demonstrations against the wall, which Israel built across the town's land last year. Since weekly protests resumed in the village in May 2008, five of the towns residents have been shot dead by israeli soldiers, who sometimes use live ammunition against the demonstrators.

This resolution calling for a US investigation into the shooting of Tristan Anderson was introduced on April 28, 2010.

As of July 1st, 2010, this resolution has 3 co-sponsors.

HCON 270 IH

Calling on the United States Government to investigate the case of Tristan Anderson, a United States citizen from Oakland, California, who was critically injured in the West Bank village of Ni'lin on March 13, 2009, and expressing sympathy to Tristan Anderson and his family, friends, and loved ones during this trying time.

Ms. LEE of California (for herself, Mr. BAIRD, Mr. FILNER, and Mr. ELLISON) submitted the following concurrent resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs

Calling on the United States Government to investigate the case of Tristan Anderson, a United States citizen from Oakland, California, who was critically injured in the West Bank village of Ni'lin on March 13, 2009, and expressing sympathy to Tristan Anderson and his family, friends, and loved ones during this trying time.

Whereas, on March 13, 2009, Tristan Anderson was critically injured after being struck in the head by a tear gas canister fired by Israeli Border Police while engaging in peaceful protest activities in the West Bank village of Ni'lin;

Whereas the Department of State has requested that the Government of Israel provide a full, written, investigative report of the incident to the United States Government and the Anderson family; and

Whereas due to the severe and extensive nature of his injuries, Tristan Anderson remains hospitalized and in serious condition in the city of Tel Aviv: Now, therefore, be it

Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate concurring), That Congress--

(1) urges the Administration to raise the case of Tristan Anderson, a United States citizen from Oakland, California, at all appropriate multilateral and bilateral for a;

(2) calls on the United States Government to undertake a full, fair, and expeditious investigation of the circumstances that led to the injury of Tristan Anderson;

(3) encourages the Governments of the United States and Israel to intensify their cooperation in determining all the circumstances that led to this incident and to ensure that any incident of this kind never occurs again, including by sharing the details and results of any related investigations; and

(4) expresses sympathy to Tristan Anderson and his family, friends, and loved ones during this trying time.