Injured American activist to be brought out of medically-induced coma as condition improves
25 March 2009
American peace activist Tristan Anderson is expected to be slowly weaned off coma-inducing medication this week as his critical condition slowly improves.
Anderson was shot in the forehead with a tear-gas canister by Israeli troops at a peaceful protest in Ni'lin on 13 March. He has undergone three separate surgeries at the Tel HaShomer hospital in Tel Aviv to remove part of his damaged right frontal lobe and then to relieve inter-cranial pressure.
Nancy and Michael Anderson, Tristan's parents, arrived in Tel Aviv earlier this week and held a press conference at the Alternative Information Center. "We are scared and really just in shock," Mrs Anderson said at the event. She also asked "that the Israeli government publically take full responsibility for shooting our son."
According to the family, they have received no communication from Israeli authorities.
Attorney Sfard filed a formal complaint with the West Bank Israeli border police on 22 March requesting an investigation of the incident, though he expressed little confidence that a motion would be taken up. Sfard noted that as little as 8-10 percent of all investigations launched into the actions of Israeli border police yield results.
The only investigation that resulted in manslaughter charges was that into the death of Tom Hurndall, a British activist who was shot in the head by an Israeli soldier in 2003.
The Andersons indicated that they hope to pursue the matter through the American consulate, but said that for the time being they are "focusing on our son."
They intend to stay in Tel Aviv until Tristan is fit to be transferred to the United States for further treatment.
