Tony Blinken was interrupted by protesters during a Senate hearing on Israel’s actions in Gaza

Foreign Secretary Antony Blinken was repeatedly interrupted during a Senate hearing today by a dozen protesters opposing Israel’s actions in Gaza.

The protesters, some of whom chanted “ceasefire now” and “no genocide in Gaza,” were escorted by Capitol police or dragged out of the hearing.

CNN, which broadcast the hearing live, showed a woman standing behind Blinken holding a “Gaza ceasefire” sign. Others in the crowd had their hands painted red to represent blood and held aloft during the trial.

“I appreciate that people are passionate about these topics. I would ask that you respect our witnesses and committee members and give the American people an opportunity to hear their testimony. We will wait until the chamber is cleared,” said Senator Patti Murray (D-WA), chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee.

Blinken was again interrupted by another protester and then by a larger group. Some members chanted “truce now” and “all walls must be removed.” Blinken remained silent and listened, but did not seem to look back at the protesters as they shouted.

Blinken and Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin testified before the committee that they support the Biden administration’s request for $105 billion in additional funding for emergency relief for Israel and Ukraine, as well as for Taiwan and border security.

House Speaker Mike Johnson has proposed legislation that would separate the $14 billion in aid to Israel from the rest of the supplemental budget request. The GOP bill would also require the money to be offset by cuts to the IRS budget aimed at strengthening enforcement. The Biden administration and Senate Democrats quickly rejected the proposal, saying they wanted a stand-alone bill. They also see a precedent in demanding budget balances for emergency funding.

During the hearing, Blinken said a cease-fire in the war between Israel and Hamas would “simply solidify what Hamas could do and allow it to stay where it is and possibly repeat what it did on another day.” And this cannot be tolerated. No country will tolerate that.”

“We believe we need to consider things like humanitarian pauses to ensure that assistance reaches those who need it and that people can be protected so they don’t end up in harm’s way.” But it must not become one. in which there will be a return to the status quo, in which after its demise Hamas will again be responsible for the government and the so-called security of Gaza, because this is simply an invitation to repeat what happened. .”