MEDIA ADVISORY: Welch to Join Journalist Dylan Collins, Members of Congress, Human Rights Leaders for Press Conference on Netanyahu Government’s Systematic Targeting of Journalists

Dec 9, 2025
Vermont journalist Dylan Collins will join call for justice for October 2023 Israeli attack that wounded him and killed a Reuters journalist in Lebanon
WASHINGTON, D.C.– On Thursday, December 11that 9:00 AM ET,U.S. Senator Peter Welch (D-Vt.)will joinVermonter and Agence France-Presse (AFP) video journalist Dylan Collins,U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.),U.S. Rep. Becca Balint (D-VT-At Large), theCommittee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), andAmnesty International USAto demand accountability for the Netanyahu government’s systematic targeting of members of the press since October 7, 2023.
For the first time, Senator Welch will share findings from his office’s engagement with the Netanyahu and United States governments on the status of its probe into the attack on his constituent, U.S. citizen and AFP video journalist Dylan Collins.
Collins was wounded in the October 13, 2023,double-tap Israeli attackin southern Lebanon on a group of seven journalists clearly identifiable as members of the press. Reuters video journalistIssam Abdallahwas killed in the first strike, and AFP photojournalist Christina Assi gravely wounded, resulting in the amputation of her right leg. Collins reported the targeted attack to the U.S. embassy in Beirut while hospitalized from injuries sustained in the strike, and later presented video evidence of the double-tap strike to FBI and DHS investigators and the State Department in May 2024.
Watch a video made by Collins of the attack that he survived on October 13, 2023,below:
In May 2024, the Vermont Congressional Delegationrequestedthat the Department of State conduct a thorough and independent investigation into these events under theWar Crimes Act of 1996as well as other relevant U.S. and customary international law. In October 2024, Senator Welch joined eleven members of Congress incallingon the Biden Administration to open an investigation on the October 13 targeted attack that injured Collins. Senator Welch has directly engaged with the Trump Administration, Biden Administration, and the Embassy of Israel to obtain information about the attack and demand accountability for those involved.
Senator Welch, staff of Sens. Sanders, Van Hollen, and Rep. Balint alsomet with Collins on Capitol Hillin July. To date, the U.S. has failed to undertake a credible and thorough investigation or to seek accountability for those involved.
WHO:U.S. Senator Peter Welch (D-Vt.); Vermonter and Agence France-Presse (AFP) video journalist Dylan Collins; U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.); Rep. Becca Balint (D-VT-At Large); Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ); Amnesty International USA
WHEN:Thursday, December 11that 9:00 AM ET
WHERE:Senate Swamp, Capitol Hill
WATCH:Livestream the press conference onSenator Welch’s YouTube channel.
RSVP:Media are asked toRSVP hereand toElisabeth_St.Onge@welch.senate.gov.
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