Supreme Court to IDF: Explain shooting US activist
By JERUSALEM POST STAFF
The Supreme Court on Wednesday called on the IDF to respond to accusations that it did not properly investigate the case of a US activist who accused Israeli troops of shooting and seriously wounding him in the West Bank three years ago without provocation.
Brian Avery, of Chapel Hill, North Carolina, was shot in the face in the West Bank town of Jenin on April 5, 2003, where he was working as part of a contingent from the International Solidarity Movement, a pro-Palestinian group whose activists often insert themselves between Palestinians and Israeli forces to disrupt military operations.
Avery said he and a colleague were wearing bright red doctor vests and were standing still with their hands over their heads when soldiers in approaching military vehicles opened fire with no warning shots. An internal army inquiry said his allegations were baseless.
Last year, the Supreme Court ordered the IDF to reopen the investigation. On Wednesday, Avery's lawyer, Michael Sfard, asked the court to open a criminal investigation into the shooting.