Sanders leads call for DOJ to investigate Israeli attack on journalists

 Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) and 11 Democrats are urging President Biden, Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Attorney General Merrick Garland to open a formal investigation into an Israeli air strike that injured American journalists over a year ago.

“The evidence clearly indicates that this was an unlawful direct attack on civilians in which a U.S. citizen was injured and was lucky to survive. Several journalists were severely injured, and one was killed,” lawmakers wrote in a letter on Tuesday.

The other Democratic lawmakers on the letter include Sen. Peter Welch (Vt.), Rep. Becca Balint (Vt.), Sen. Jeff Merkley (Ore.), Sen. Chris Van Hollen (Md.), Rep. Cori Bush (Mo.), Rep. Pramila Jayapal (Wash.), Rep. Barbara Lee (Calif.), Rep. Jim McGovern (Mass.), Rep. Delia Ramirez (Ill.), Rep. Melanie Stansbury (N.M.), Rep. Rashida Tlaib (Mich.).

Dylan Collins, a U.S. citizen and journalist for Agence France-Presse (AFP) was severely wounded by Israeli tank fire while wearing a press vest reporting near the line of withdrawal between Lebanon and Israel. 

“Unfortunately, this incident is part of a wider pattern of disregard by the Israeli military for the safety of civilians, including journalists and humanitarian aid workers,” the letter alleges citing reports from the Committee to Protect Journalist and United Nations. 

Sanders wrote a letter to the State Department earlier this year in which officials said the Government of Israel would investigate the incident. 

However, the agency said it did not “involve” U.S.-origin weapons, and instead was likely caused by an “Israeli-made M339” or “M329 tank rounds” fired by an Israeli made Merkava tank, according to an independent investigation by Reuters and TNO.

Now, the 11 lawmakers, including Tlaib (D), the first-Palestinian woman to serve in the body, are asking for more concrete answers about the series of events. 

The group wrote, “This investigation is necessary to confirm the details of the attack, secure an explanation as to why it was carried out, identify those responsible throughout the chain of command, and hold to account those who ordered and executed the attack.”

The Hill has reached out to the Biden administration for comment.