Almost Killed by Israel, Tristan finally Goes Home

Tristan is Back!

source Berkeley-After more than a year in a Tel Aviv hospital, Bay Area activist and photo-journalist Tristan Anderson has returned home to California. Tristan was critically injured when he was shot in the head at close range with a metal high-velocity tear gas canister at the Israeli Separation Wall on March 13, 2009, while taking photos following a demonstration against the apartheid wall in the West Bank village of Ni’lin. The shooting caused severe traumatic brain injury and blindness in his right eye. Tristan, 39 years old, has not yet regained the use of the left side of his body and faces a long period of cognitive and physical rehabilitation and remains in a wheelchair. However, in the last several months he has made significant strides forward, including regaining his ability to speak. He is currently staying at his family’s home in the Sierra foothills, and looking forward to reuniting with his extensive community in the Bay Area.

Tristan’s partner Gabrielle Silverman said, “After a very long period of hospitalization, Tristan is ready to finally re-enter the world. His injury has profoundly affected our community and changed our lives. In the winter of 2009, Tristan and I traveled to the Occupied Territories because we had an understanding of the role the U.S. government plays in the Israel/Palestine conflict and power dynamics there. We both support a free Palestine and a just peace and stability in the Middle East and see it as a defining struggle of our generation.

Just prior to the one-year mark of the shooting, Israel released its official report of the incident, calling it “an act of war”, with no concomitant liability, bringing no charges, and then closed the case. An appeal to reopen the investigation has been filed, since the report was inconsistent with the injuries Tristan sustained and with eyewitness testimony. In addition, his parents have brought a civil case against the Israeli military, in part to deal with the lifetime of medical expenses, lost wages and continuing care that Tristan will need as a result of the military action.

On May 31, 21-year-old New York art student Emily Henochowicz lost an eye in a similar act of aggression by Israeli military when she was shot in the face with a tear gas canister at a demonstration in the West Bank. She was protesting the Israeli commando raid on the Gaza Freedom Flotilla during which nine Flotilla human rights activists were killed.

Tristan Anderson has participated as a photo-journalist and as a dedicated activist in a variety of local and international campaigns over the years, including Latin American solidarity work, anti-war activism, involvement in forest campaigns including Headwaters Forest and the 2-year long Save the Oaks tree-sit campaign on UC Berkeley campus, as well as serving food to the homeless with Food Not Bombs for years, and riding with Critical Mass bicycle activists.

GOOD NEWS~TRISTAN ANDERSON COMES HOME

BEFORE:


AFTER

After more than a year in a Tel Aviv hospital, Bay Area activist and photo-journalist Tristan Anderson has returned home to California. Tristan was critically injured when he was shot in the head at close range with a metal high-velocity tear gas canister at the Israeli Separation Wall on March 13, 2009, while taking photos following a demonstration against the apartheid wall in the West Bank village of Ni’lin. The shooting caused severe traumatic brain injury and blindness in his right eye. Tristan, 39 years old, has not yet regained the use of the left side of his body and faces a long period of cognitive and physical rehabilitation and remains in a wheelchair. However, in the last several months he has made significant strides forward, including regaining his ability to speak. He is currently staying at his family’s home in the Sierra foothills, and looking forward to reuniting with his extensive community in the Bay Area.

Tristan’s partner Gabrielle Silverman said, “After a very long period of hospitalization, Tristan is ready to finally re-enter the world. His injury has profoundly affected our community and changed our lives. In the winter of 2009, Tristan and I traveled to the Occupied Territories because we had an understanding of the role the U.S. government plays in the Israel/Palestine conflict and power dynamics there. We both support a free Palestine and a just peace and stability in the Middle East and see it as a defining struggle of our generation.

Just prior to the one-year mark of the shooting, Israel released its official report of the incident, calling it “an act of war”, with no concomitant liability, bringing no charges, and then closed the case. An appeal to reopen the investigation has been filed, since the report was inconsistent with the injuries Tristan sustained and with eyewitness testimony. In addition, his parents have brought a civil case against the Israeli military, in part to deal with the lifetime of medical expenses, lost wages and continuing care that Tristan will need as a result of the military action.

On May 31, 21-year-old New York art student Emily Henochowicz lost an eye in a similar act of aggression by Israeli military when she was shot in the face with a tear gas canister at a demonstration in the West Bank. She was protesting the Israeli commando raid on the Gaza Freedom Flotilla during which nine Flotilla human rights activists were killed.

Tristan Anderson has participated as a photo-journalist and as a dedicated activist in a variety of local and international campaigns over the years, including Latin American solidarity work, anti-war activism, involvement in forest campaigns including Headwaters Forest and the 2-year long Save the Oaks tree-sit campaign on UC Berkeley campus, as well as serving food to the homeless with Food Not Bombs for years, and riding with Critical Mass bicycle activists.

http://justicefortristan.org/

NOT ENOUGH

Tom Herndall, Rachel Corrie and Tristan Anderson never enough for Israel:

link The girls, both killed instantly, were identified as Jannah Foqha, 8, and her sister Masa, 10. Their 11-year-old brother Hussien was injured along with father Imad; both remain in hospital.

An Israeli military spokesman confirmed two had been killed when a military vehicle hit a Palestinian tractor, while a National Police representative said the "unfortunate accident" saw two young girls, riding in a cart pulled behind the tractor, were struck.

The spokesman said he was unaware of any allegations that the accident was in fact the result of soldiers targeting the family.

Locals told the regional popular committee that the incident was an "act of willful killing by the occupation forces," reporting that the tractor was in fact 15 meters away from the the highway where the Israeli military vehicle was driving.

Highway 90 is an Israeli-only road, and local farmers are prohibited from using large swaths of it.

Activists with the Stop the Wall campaign quoted locals as saying the soldiers involved in the accident had earlier intervened in a fight between settlers and farmers.

36 Hours Later~Rachel Corrie Delegation Inside

"The crossing only took about 36 hours," Craig Corrie, father of slain American activist Rachel Corrie said on entering the Gazan city of Rafah Wednesday afternoon, "that's only one hour per mile."

The delegation's efforts to reach the Strip where they planned to attend the Rachel Corrie Memorial Ramadan Soccer Tournament were stymied Tuesday as Mr and Mrs Corrie, who had contacted both Egyptian and American officials in the Middle East and Washington, attempted to negotiate the inscrutable Egyptian security apparatus. On Tuesday the group were told they would not be allowed into the area where the Corrie's daughter was run down by an armored Israeli bulldozer in 2003.

Craig Corrie's reaction, after "going through the layers of Egyptian bureaucracy" and gaining access to the Strip, was to note that what the delegation "managed to do with a bit of hassle should be a right for all those stranded in Gaza." Managing to get into Gaza as a foreign delegation "is not much of a struggle when you look at what the people around you are going through," he added.

Arriving late in the Strip the Corries and a small delegation of friends and colleagues only had time to drop off the soccer uniforms for the teams they were supposed to see play the day before. "I've been told one of the youth games has been postponed for us," Mr Corrie said, "so it looks like we will get to see at least one game."

The delegation will head to Gaza City where the Corries will reconnect with old friends, who they have made since becoming heavily involved in the Palestinian struggle.

Rachel Corrie was killed on March 2003 while acting as a human shield in front of the home of a Gazan family slated for demolition by Israeli forces. As she stood in front of the home alongside six other activists with the International Solidarity Movement she was fatally injured by the caterpillar tracks of the militarized bulldozer.

This is the family's fourth visit to Gaza. In 2003 and 2006 the family entered the area through Israel's Erez Crossing. In 2008 Israel denied the family entry into the country and the two joined the CODEPINK delegation and entered through Egyptian Rafah.

"As frustrating as the Egyptian bureaucracy was, it is really Israel that is primarily responsible for what is going on in Gaza and at the borders," Mr Corrie reflected, "and though Egypt could and should do more to help Gazans with the siege, it is the world which must make it possible for Gazans to live the lives they deserve." source

"Rachel Corrie" Movie Features at Film Fest

From Indiewire:
The Traverse City Film Festival has announced what founder Michael Moore says is “the best movie lineup in its five-year history.” The 2009 edition of the festival - which runs July 28 through Aug 2 - is set to screen 71 features and short films representing more than 30 countries and five continents.

“Greetings from Tehran” and “Palestine and Vine” are two sections of the film festival featuring works from the Middle East, including the new documentary, “Rachel,” about the life and death of Rachel Corrie, an American who sacrificed her life to help the Palestinian people.

“We’re bringing at least one, maybe two, Palestinian filmmakers,” Moore said. “At this time in history, more than ever, we need to hear voices from that part of the world that are not filtered by the Western media.” Full list of Films can be seen here

Oh Look~Israel Pretends Justice

What do Iran's Government and Israel's Government have in common? Plenty, when it comes to how they treat protesters.

Here's a little thought for you. Notice how the world was so outraged at the Iranian governments response to protesters? Germany, Britain, America, France, Canada, all outraged. Compare that to the world reaction Israel gets when it does the very same thing to protesters, including American protesters like Rachel Corrie and Tristan Anderson.

Israel's highest court has ordered stronger charges against two military personnel over the shooting of a bound Palestinian in the West Bank last year.

The sergeant and his commanding officer were originally charged with improper conduct, which would have carried a maximum penalty of one year in prison.

The court called for charges reflecting the gravity of the offence, which was filmed by human rights activists.

(Translation: Oh Crap, we were caught red handed by the camera. "Oh Shite, we now have to punish them, or at the very least, pretend to punish them)

The victim was not seriously injured by the rubber-coated steel bullet.

(So, what about Tristan Anderson and Rachel Corrie then? What punishment will you mete out for her murder and his attempted murder which was also filmed?)

The video footage showed the soldier, acting on orders from his commander standing next to him, shooting Ashraf Abu Rahma in the foot at point-blank range.

(This only goes to show that it is a "Policy" of the ZOF to torture and kill Palestinians and even Americans like Rachel Corrie and Tristan Anderson for protesting. And people think Iran is insane? Pot Kettle Black)

The Supreme Court ordered the military to issue a new indictment with more severe charges that would "accurately reflect the circumstances and the actions taken".

"It is a cruel act that deserves a punishment which reflects this," the judges said in a statement.

"The moral gap between the nature of the act described in the indictment and the manner of evaluation in the indictment - as the offence of 'improper conduct' - is so deep that it cannot stand," they wrote.

The sergeant and his colonel had said they intended only to frighten Mr Abu Rahma, who had been protesting against construction of Israel's separation barrier near the West Bank village of Nilin.

Palestinians and human rights organisations have long complained about harsh treatment of civilians by Israeli troops in the occupied West Bank, and light sentences handed down to abusive soldiers. source

My bet is that he will get a slap on the wrist publicly, then magically disappear like Bernie Madoff's money.

Shining Example of WHY the World HATES Israel

http://irish4palestine.blogspot.com/
Another one shot, another one dead, another day under Israeli occupation.



Just for one minute, Imagine if, during the end of the Bush Administration, American police officers, or American Soldiers, came upon a large group of people protesting against the Iraq war. Easy to imagine, it happened hundreds of times. And what if a small handful of those protesters, let's say five or six out of 200, threw a stone at the Riot Squad. Then, what if the Police Officers just opened fire on the entire group of American civilians protesting, killing several of them. It happened once in American history, at Kent State during the Viet Nam war. But never again!

However, this is exactly what Israel does on a daily basis for a great number of years. They commit state sanctioned murder, they murder people who are only armed with tiny stones against tanks, armoured cars and military rifles. And, Israel wonders why people hate them? More below:

RAMALLAH, West Bank, June 5 (Reuters) - Israeli troops shot dead a Palestinian man on Friday in a confrontation with stone-throwing protesters in the occupied West Bank, Palestinian hospital officials said.

Medics said Aqel Srour, 35, was hit in the chest by a live bullet and another protester was wounded when soldiers fired at protesters in Nilin, a village near the city of Ramallah.

Srour died minutes later, Mohammed Shahwan, a doctor on the ambulance called to the scene, told Reuters.

An Israeli military spokesman said troops had opened fire when protesters threw stones at them in the village, but would not confirm whether the troops had used live ammunition. link

And I would like to take this opportunity to remind you, it is not just Palestinians they shoot, they shoot Americans as well. Pictured below is Tristan Anderson, before and after becoming acquainted with IDF forces.
Watch Tristan get shot by Israeli murderers:


Michael Sfard, an Israeli human rights lawyer, who has filed a formal demand for an official investigation, said that of some 120 criminal investigations brought against security force members since the beginning of the intifada, there had only been one conviction – against the Arab-Israeli soldier who shot British peace activist Tom Hurndall dead in Gaza.

Nobody was brought to trial in two other cases involving the deaths of foreign nationals. They were Rachel Corrie, who like Mr Hurndall was an International Solidarity Movement volunteer. The Israeli military has not accepted responsibility for her death. In the case of British film-maker James Miller, Israeli authorities made a substantial cash payment to his family this year, which came nearly six years after his death.

The Israeli military said that on the day Mr Anderson was shot, some 400 rioters, “some masked”, had thrown “a massive number of rocks” at their forces.

So, "rocks" and "masks" are considered deadly to soldiers of the 4th largest army in the world, with rifles and tanks. Makes prefect sense, only in Israel, where they murder for sport and never are held accountable for their crimes, even against Americans, Britians or any other country. They are immune, because they are poor little Israel.

Read what Tristan's parents have to say here.

Weapon Used on Tristan Anderson Kills Palestinian

The same bullet that critically injured America Tristan Anderson was used to kill a Palestinian today.

Palestinian man killed by tear-gas canister in Bil'in

A Palestinian man was killed on Friday when Israeli forces opened fire on demonstrators in the West Bank village of Bil'in, near Ramallah.

Palestinian medical officials identified the man as 29-year-old Basem Ibrahim Abu Rahmeh, who had previously been listed in serious condition following a direct shot to the stomach from an Israeli fired tear-gas canister on Friday afternoon.

In a statement, Israel's military said it would investigate the incident.

Witnesses told Ma'an that the projectile was labeled "40 mm bullet, special/long range" in Hebrew, the same type of weapon that critically injured an American national, Tristan Anderson, at a demonstration in Ni'lin on 13 March 2009, when he was shot in the head from a distance of 60 meters.

Tristan Anderson UPDATE

Activists launch fundraiser for injured ISM protester

Pro-Palestinian activists this week launched a fundraising drive to cover hospital costs for an uninsured American protester critically wounded last month by police in the West Bank. Meanwhile his family is preparing to sue the state. Police say the troops followed protocol. Tristan Anderson, 38, was hit in the forehead by a teargas canister fired by a border policeman in the village of Na'alin during a demonstration against Israel's contested security barrier.



Comatose, Anderson has undergone three brain surgeries at Tel Hashomer hospital, including partial removal of his frontal lobe. A brain fluid leak was sealed using a femoral tendon and his right eye suffered extensive damage. It is not clear if he will survive.



The demonstration was organized by the International Solidarity Movement (ISM), a controversial organization which brings Westerners to "resist Israeli occupation of Palestinian land" by "direct-action methods," as stated in the group's charter.

"Tristan is without medical insurance in the U.S. and will need substantial financial assistance to continue long-term treatment," the movement advertised on a mini-site it built for Anderson. "We ask that supporters around the world donate what they can to help."

The man's parents, Nancy and Michael Anderson, who flew out to Israel from their home in central California, confirmed through their attorney that "there are money issues" but said they weren't behind the fundraising drive. The parents, who refused to be interviewed, have retained Sfard to conduct an independent probe into the incident, in preparation for a legal fight to get Israel to assume responsibility for the injury.

"So far my investigation has produced evidence that look very bad," said Sfard, who collected testimonies in Na'alin last Thursday. "It appears border police took up an elevated position to snipe with canisters at protesters returning from a demonstration."

A Swedish activist who said he saw the shooting told Anglo File that it was unprovoked. "The policeman approached from behind a building when everything was quiet," said the man, an ISM member who identified himself only as John.

A 30-year-old government employee staying on a tourist visa, John added he was 30 meters away from Anderson at the time. The policeman who fired the canister was 60 meters away, he said. "Clearly troops are using canisters as projectiles and not for crowd dispersal," John said. Avi Biton, the spokesperson for the border police's Judea and Samaria district, said the canister discharged accidentally.

"We believe Israel should not only pay for Anderson's medical expenses, but take full responsibility for his shooting," Sasha Solanas from ISM's Media Office said. "Anderson was standing inside the village and the demonstration had dispersed." Solanas also said the shooting "continues a pattern of behavior by the Israeli military of firing teargas canisters directly at protesters in violation of Israeli army orders and international standards."

Israeli Forces Attack Tristan Anderson's Parents Conference~Injure Journalists

Double post on this subject today. Firstly, the parents of American peace activist Tristan Anderson are in Israel calling for the Israeli government to take full responsibility for what happened to Tristan. Tristan, who many not survive, is currently in hospital after having had three operations and part of his skull removed. He has already lost the sight in his right eye and may never wake up from the coma.

If this is not bad enough, Mr. and Mrs. Anderson were to give a press conference and speak at a protest today. However, the Israeli forces attacked the gatherers, injuring two journalists and shutting down the press conference before the Andersons could speak. E.g. censoring it by attacking people and closing down the press conference. Israel just seems to have such an aversion to allow the truth to be spoken. Read the two reports below:

Parents of critically injured US peace activist demand justice from Israel

Peace campaigner was struck in head with teargas grenade during demo in occupied West Bank

The parents of an American peace activist who was severely injured by Israeli forces at a demonstration in the occupied West Bank called on the Israeli government today to take "full responsibility" for the shooting.

Tristan Anderson, 38, was hit in the forehead by a high-velocity teargas canister fired by an Israeli border policeman in the village of Nilin earlier this month.
Anderson was rushed to the Tel Hashomer hospital in Israel, where he has already had three operations. He lost the sight in his right eye and doctors had to remove portions of his frontal lobe. It is not clear if he will survive, or how much brain damage he may have suffered.

His parents, Nancy and Michael, who flew out from their home near Sacramento in California to be at his bedside, said he remained in a "very critical condition" in a medically induced coma.

"We are horrified and overwhelmed," said Nancy Anderson. "We are scared and really still in shock. To shoot peaceful demonstrators is really horrifying to us. What we want to ask is that the Israeli government publicly take full responsibility for the shooting of our son."

She said no Israeli official, from either the government or the military, had contacted the couple since their son was hurt. "I don't carry any negative feelings towards the soldier who shot our son," she said. "All I feel is love for Tristan and fear for his recovery."

"Tristan has always been interested in how societies that go through conflict are able to resolve their issues," said his father. "He came to understand for himself what the Israeli-Palestinian conflict was about. It is ironic that the country in which he was shot is a democracy where it is supposed to be a duty for everyone to follow their conscience. We want to know the truth of what happened and we want justice for our son."

"For hours before he was shot, Tristan was nowhere near the wall," he said. It is thought he was hit by a high-velocity teargas grenade, a weapon newly being used against West Bank demonstrators. It comes in a black canister labelled in Hebrew "40mm bullet special/long range", and is silent when fired, according to demonstrators. Tristan was hit from a distance of about 60 metres, they said.

Michael Sfard, an Israeli human rights lawyer acting for the Anderson family, said he had filed an official complaint demanding an independent investigation. He said that evidence from Israeli human rights researchers showed neither the border police nor the barrier itself were under any threat at the time of the shooting.

"The incident took place in the village of Nilin when the protesters came back to the village after a peaceful demonstration," Sfard said. "The policemen involved, both the guy who shot and the officers who gave orders, must take the full might of criminal justice."

More below regarding the violent Israeli attacks on the Anderson's press conference gathering, this is just such a disgrace. Shame on Israel............

Israeli troops shut down press conference with injured American's parents; beat activists

Jerusalem – Ma’an – A woman and journalist were among those beaten by Israeli troops during a press conference held by the parents of critically wounded American peace activist Tristan Anderson Monday afternoon.

Israeli troops detained 11, including Sheikh Raed Salah, the head of the Islamic Movement in Israel, and Khaled Zabaka, in addition to three foreign activists.

Several journalists reported being prevented from reaching the area, known as the protest tent, in Sheikh Jarrah where the Al-Kurd Family has taken up residence after being evicted from their home.

Israeli forces demanded that the event be shut down, and dozens refused the order, including Sheikh Raed Salah the head of the Islamic party in Israel and Sheikh Ekremah Sabry the religious leader at Al-Aqsa Mosque.

Israeli troops then descended on the activists, officials and media personnel and beat PalMedia journalist Hamza Na’agi, activist Abir Abu Khdeir, head of the Jerusalem center for social and economic rights Ziyad Al-Hamury and Salah Thyab a resident of the Sheikh Jarrah neighborhood. The latter two were also detained.

The raid, ordered by Israeli Minister of Internal Security Avi Ditchter, came early in the event and prevented Anderson’s parents from addressing the crowd.

And this just in, Tristan's mother asking US to force Israeli investigation:

Mother Of Injured Protester Wants U.S. To Press Israel

(Jerusalem) -- The mother of an American hit in the head when Israeli police fired a teargas canister wants Israel's government to investigate the incident.
Tristan's mother, Nancy Anderson, told reporters in Jerusalem Monday she wants U.S. diplomats to put pressure on Israeli officials to launch a probe into what happened.
She says she has heard nothing from the Israeli government since her son was critically injured.

VIGIL AT THE ISRAELI CONSULATE, NEW YORK CITY

Bay Area Friends: PLEASE FORWARD WIDELY TO ALL YOUR NYC FRIENDS!!

SOLIDARITY WITH TRISTAN ANDERSON AND THE PEOPLE OF PALESTINE
VIGIL AT THE ISRAELI CONSULATE, NEW YORK CITY
FRIDAY MARCH 20TH, 2009, 4-6PM
800 2ND AVE BETWEEN 42ND AND 43RD STREETS

MORE INFO:

Tristan is unconscious, anesthetized and artificially respirated, has sustained life-threatening injuries to his brain (as well as to his right eye), and is expected to undergo several operations in the coming days.

The impact of the projectile caused numerous condensed fractures to Tristan's forehead and right eye socket. During the operation, part of his right frontal lobe had to be removed, as it was penetrated by bone fragments. A brain fluid leakage was sealed using a tendon from his thigh, and both his right eye and skin suffered extensive damage. The long term scope of all of Tristan's injuries is yet unknown. It should also be noted that soldiers at the Ni'ilin checkpoint prevented the Red Crescent ambulance from taking Tristan directly to the hospital, forcing it to wait for approximately 15 minutes until an Israeli ICU ambulance (called by Israeli activists) arrived at the scene, after which he had to be carried from one ambulance to the other.

MORE HERE

Shot by Israel~American "Hanging by a Thread"

Tristan Anderson "Hanging by a Thread"



Here is the latest update on peaceful protester Tristan Anderson who was shot by Israeli Soldiers in the head. Rhetorical question here; “Why are Americans not outraged that Israel has attempted to murder yet another American?” I mean seriously, let us not forget the USS Liberty and all those men who have never seen justice. And what about Rachel Corrie? Her family will never see justice either. Why? Because Israel is America’s “friend.” Makes no sense does it……..With friends like these, who needs enemies I say.

U.S. activist Tristan Anderson 'hanging by a thread' after being injured in protest on Israel border

An American activist critically wounded by an Israeli gas canister in the West Bank is "hanging from a thread" after brain surgery Saturday, friends said.

Tristan Anderson, 38, a "tree-sitter" from Oakland, Calif., was hit in the forehead when troops shot tear gas during a protest of the separation barrier between Israel and the West Bank village of Naalin.

"He's really touch and go. He's hanging from a thread," friend Paul Larudee told the San Francisco Chronicle

They traveled to the West Bank to rally against the Israeli-erected barrier that could cut off Palestinian villages from valuable farmland.

LINK