Secretary of State Antony Blinken was heckled and interrupted about half a dozen times by pro-Palestinian demonstrators at the top of his Tuesday testimony before the Senate Appropriations Committee.
Blinken was appearing alongside Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin to discuss the need for a supplemental aid package for both Israel and Ukraine.
“Thank you for this opportunity to testify before you today,” the top diplomat began his opening remarks.
Immediately, a man with white hair sitting in the audience began shouting about Israel’s war against Hamas in Gaza, describing it as “collective punishment” and decrying the “bombing of densely population.”
Blinken paused and faced forward, ignoring the commotion behind him as authorities told the demonstrator to be quiet.
“Stop supporting the genocide,” the man went on.
“Ceasefire now. Save the children of Gaza. Save the children of Gaza. Ceasefire now. Where is your pride, America?” he added as he was removed.
“I do recognize that people feel passionately, but I do ask that we have order in this hearing room and respect our speakers,” Committee Chair Patty Murray (D-Wash.) warned the spectators.
Blinken then carried with his opening remarks, discussing how the Biden administration is “standing up for our values, not shrinking back” from challenges on the world stage.
After about a minute, a woman dressed in pink interjected while holding up a sign.
“The world is calling for a ceasefire,” she shouted before being dragged out. “Shame on you all. The world is calling for a ceasefire. The American people don’t want to support this brutal war.”
As Blinken continued his opening remarks, others in the audience raised their hands, colored red to represent blood.
“No more war,” a protester yelled behind him. “It’s a terrible thing to do.”
From there, Blinken was interrupted at least three more times, with demonstrators yelling slogans like “Palestinians aren’t evil” and demanding a ceasefire.
Perhaps the loudest and most jarring interruption, came when a group began chanting: “From Palestine to Mexico, all the walls have got to go.”
“Blinken, you have blood on your hands! Murderer!” one woman among the group shouted before they were yanked from the hearing room.
“No more f—ing genocide,” that woman later cried out.
Blinken, a descendant of Jewish immigrants from eastern Europe, has championed Israel’s efforts to combat Hamas terrorists in the Gaza Strip.
Privately, the Biden administration has repeatedly warned Israel to be cautious in its ground incursion, citing the risk of civilian casualties in Gaza.
The Biden administration’s support of Israel has roiled many on the progressive left who are sympathetic to the Palestinian cause.
The White House rolled out a sprawling $106 billion supplemental package earlier this month, seeking $61.4 billion for Ukraine, $14.3 billion for Israel, and $14 billion for immigration enforcement.
That proposal has been greeted with resistance in the GOP-controlled House of Representatives, where Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) has called for aid to the two countries to be considered separately.