Sens. Bernie Sanders (Ore., Vermont) and 11 other Democratic senators have called out President Biden, Secretary of State Antony Blinken, and Attorney General Merrick Garland for their actions against Israel, which injured an American journalist more than a year ago. They are calling for a formal investigation into the airstrike to be launched.
“The evidence clearly shows that this was an illegal direct attack on civilians, and that Americans were injured but lucky to survive. Several journalists were seriously injured and one died.” the lawmakers said. wrote in a letter on tuesday.
Other Democrats named in the letter include Sen. Peter Welch (Vermont), Rep. Becca Balint (Vermont), Sen. Jeff Merkley (Oregon), and Sen. Chris Van Hollen. (Maryland), Rep. Cori Bush (Missouri), Rep. Pramila Jayapal (Washington State), Rep. Barbara Lee (California), Rep. Jim McGovern (Massachusetts), and Rep. Delia Ramirez. Congressman (Illinois), Melanie Stansberry (New Mexico), and Rashida Tlaib (Michigan).
Dylan Collins, an American citizen and Agence France-Presse reporter, was seriously injured by Israeli tank fire while wearing a news vest near the withdrawal line between Lebanon and Israel.
“Unfortunately, this incident is part of a pattern of widespread disregard by the Israeli military for the safety of civilians, including journalists and humanitarian aid workers,” the letter said, citing reports from news outlets. claims. Committee to Protect Journalists and united nations.
Sanders sent a letter to the State Department earlier this year, and officials said the Israeli government would investigate the incident.
However, the agency said that is not the case.get involvedAn independent investigation by Reuters and TNO said the culprit was likely an Israeli M339 or M329 tank round fired from an Israeli Merkava tank, rather than a US-made weapon.
Currently, 11 members of Congress, including Tlaib (Democratic Party), the first Palestinian woman to serve in Congress, are demanding more concrete answers about the series of events.
“This investigation aims to confirm the details of the attack, secure an explanation for why it was carried out, identify those responsible throughout the chain of command, and hold accountable those who ordered and carried out the attack,” the group said. “It is necessary,” he wrote.
Hill has reached out to the Biden administration for comment.
