American Senate meeting on support for Israel is interrupted by anti-war demonstrators

A US Senate hearing on the administration’s enormous budget request for financing Israel and Ukraine despite the current battles in both countries was frequently disrupted by anti-war protestors calling for an immediate ceasefire in the Gaza Strip.

The anti-war demonstrators disrupted the Senate Appropriations Committee hearing on Tuesday at least six times, calling for an end to the violence and denouncing the US for “aiding the massacre” (Xinhua news agency). Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin were present as witnesses giving testimonies.

“Ceasefire now” was yelled by a guy in the crowd a few minutes into Blinken’s introductory speech. “Where is your pride, America?” and “save the children of Gaza” before Capitol Police removed him out of the room.

Not long later, Blinken was interrupted mid-speech once again by a number of demonstrators who could be heard shrieking at him and committee members.

“Quit now!” they yelled. “Let Gaza exist!”

Apart from vocal demonstrators, other audience members displayed their red-stained hands, signifying that President Joe Biden’s administration had blood on its hands despite its repeated declarations of support for Israel.

During one of the disturbances, a female protester could be heard yelling, “The US is supporting a brutal massacre.”

“Not a single senator is requesting a cease-fire! Blame it all on you! Give up now. Even after being pushed out of the room by the police, she persisted, saying, “Stop funding this brutal massacre.”

Every time a protester was removed, Blinken would continue his testimony, only to have the next round of demonstrations cut short.

The $106 billion in financing, according to him, will help Israel and Ukraine fight Russia and Hamas, respectively; alleviate Gaza’s dire humanitarian situation; assist Washington in defeating its adversaries strategically; and fortify the defense of American security at home.

Blinken strayed from his planned speech at the conclusion of his introductory remarks to speak directly to the demonstrators.

Although the Biden administration is “determined” to see the suffering of Gazans stop, the Secretary said, “I also hear very much the passions expressed in this room and outside this room,” and that it is “imperative” for the US to “resolutely” stand up with friends and partners.

Following Blinken’s speech, Austin addressed the Senate on behalf of the Pentagon and said that the administration is pleading with Congress to “help fund America’s national security needs, stand by our partners, and invest in our defense industrial base” by submitting the urgent supplemental budget request.

During the senators’ question-and-answer period, Blinken said that the moment is not right to impose a ceasefire since doing so would give Hamas more leverage and allow them to “potentially repeat” the assaults on defenseless Israeli citizens on October 7.

Legislators are being urged to support President Biden’s national security package, which includes $10.9 billion for southern border security and migrant issues, $2 billion for Indo-Pacific security, $9.2 billion for humanitarian assistance, and $61.4 billion for Ukraine’s defense, during the hearing.