American family vows to sue Israel

Tristan Anderson

The family members of a US peace activist, who was hit by an Israeli high-velocity tear gas canister on his head in the West Bank, have vowed to file a lawsuit.

After the incident, the Israeli government said that they could not be held responsible for such an act committed by their soldier as the victim was injured at a demonstration against the separation wall (also known as the Apartheid Wall) in the West Bank village of Ni'lin.

Although Tristan Anderson's shooting occurred during a civilian demonstration, Tel Aviv has labeled the protest in question as 'an act of war'.

There were no armed hostilities involved in the March 13, 2009 demonstration, in which Anderson was shot.

Just one month after Anderson's case, Bassem Abu Rahme, an organizer with the Anti-Wall campaign in Bil'in village, was fatally shot in the chest with a tear gas canister.

The Andersons' lawyer, Michael Sfard, believes that branding a civil demonstration as an 'act of war' could only mean that Israel is at war with civilians.

"International law identifies the incident as a clear case of human rights abuse. We will pursue this matter and take the government of Israel to court," Sfard said.

Anderson remains hospitalized and in a severe condition five months after being shot with little hope of recovery in sight.