Press Releases

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, December 11th, Rep. Becca Balint (VT-AL) joined a press conference with Senator Peter Welch (D-VT), Vermonter and Agence France-Presse (AFP) video journalist Dylan Collins, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), and Amnesty International USA to show support for Dylan Collins, an American citizen and journalist. Dylan Collins was attacked and wounded by Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) while reporting in Southern Lebanon. This event also conveyed solidarity with the other journalists who were wounded, as well as the family of Issam Abdallah, the Reuters journalist who was killed in the attack.   

 

“For over two years, there have been no answers for the journalists who were harmed from a targeted attack by the Israeli Defense Forces in Southern Lebanon. Dylan Collins, an American and a Vermonter, was severely wounded alongside six of his colleagues. A Reuters journalist, Issam Abdallah, was killed instantly. All of them were clearly identified as press." Rep. Becca Balint said.  

 

"I want to thank my colleagues, Senators Welch and Van Hollen, for continuing to demand accountability from both the Israeli and United States government. I will continue to oppose any attempt to intimidate or silence the press and seek accountability for the victims and their families."  

 

“Here’s the bottom line: the Netanyahu government has made it crystal clear that they never had serious intentions to investigate the deadly October 2023 attack that wounded Dylan Collins. It isn’t asking much of the Israeli government to conduct an investigation that meets international standards and to punish those responsible for this attack. Yet for over two years, we have done everything reasonably possible to get answers and accountability, only to be stonewalled at every turn. But we’re not going to give up our fight for answers,” said Senator Welch. “We’re demanding accountability from the Israeli government and our own to get justice for Dylan, his colleagues, and every member of the press targeted by the IDF since October 7, 2023.” 

 

“Over two years ago, Dylan Collins was injured by an IDF strike that left one reporter dead and several of his colleagues hospitalized alongside him. Since that strike, there have been no answers or accountability regarding what happened to Dylan and his colleagues. This silence has become part of a pattern of attacks on journalists by the IDF, with no resolution and no justice. It’s long past time for the U.S. government to live up to its stated commitment to defend American citizens abroad, and pursue accountability for this attack — it is essential not only for justice for Dylan and his colleagues, but also for the defense of press freedom around the world,” said Senator Van Hollen. 

 

“Vermonters continue to rebuild their homes, businesses and communities in the wake of the devastating 2023 floods — the worst natural disaster in our state since 1927. The recovery process is expensive, and this federal funding is absolutely essential for cities and towns across our state,” said Sanders. “By investing in essential infrastructure, economic revitalization and mitigation against future disasters, this funding will help Vermonters rebuild stronger than before. I am proud to have helped champion this funding and will continue to demand that the federal government stand with people throughout our country in their times of need — especially after natural disasters like the ones we’ve experienced in Vermont.” 

 

“This was not a ‘fog of war’ incident. It was a war crime carried out in broad daylight and broadcast live television,” said Mr. Collins. “As an American, I thought my government would fight for me. I thought that when an American citizen is wounded in an attack carried out by the U.S.’s greatest ally in the Middle East, that we would get answers.” 

 

“For more than two years, we have demanded answers about Israel’s deadly attack on a group of journalists, including an American and Vermonter. Having killed nearly 250 journalists in two years, it is clear Israel has no intention of investigating their crime. But it is even more outrageous that our own government — under both Biden and Trump—has helped that coverup. This Israeli impunity continues because of Washington's silence. We will not forgive. We will not forget. And we will keep demanding justice,” said Senator Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.). 

 

“For decades, Israel’s purported investigations have functioned not to establish facts or deliver justice, but to shield Israeli forces from accountability for the targeted killing of journalists. The international community must now step in to break that pattern of impunity by ensuring effective war crimes investigations are opened,” said Amelia Evans, Advocacy Director, Committee to Protect Journalists. "Failing Dylan Collins is an unacceptable dereliction of a vital responsibility by the U.S. government — to defend U.S. citizens around the world. The Trump administration must uphold its duties to its citizens.” 

  

“More than two years have passed without accountability for the October 13 attack,” said Elizabeth Rghebi, MENA Advocacy Director, Amnesty International USA. “Israel must not be allowed to continue to kill and attack journalists with impunity. Those responsible for the unlawful attack on October 13 by Israeli forces must be held to account. We urge U.S. authorities to open an independent and thorough war crimes investigation in this case and to ensure accountability goes to the top of the Israeli military’s chain of command.”  

 

 

Watch a livestream of the press conference here 

 

 

###