Demonstrators repeatedly disrupted a high-profile Senate hearing Tuesday and called for an immediate cease-fire in the Gaza Strip, accusing the U.S. of “funding genocide” in the Palestinian enclave as Israel responds to Hamas’ Oct. 7 attack.
The protesters on multiple occasions cut off Secretary of State Antony Blinken’s opening statement, sparking chaos just as the Senate Appropriations Committee hearing started. The activists yelled, “Save the children of Gaza. … The world is calling for a cease-fire,” adding that Mr. Blinken and Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin have “blood on your hands” for backing Israel’s anti-Hamas campaign in Gaza.
As protesters were removed from the hearing room, others quickly took their place to disrupt the proceeding. At one point, multiple demonstrators joined in a chant of “cease-fire now.”
As Mr. Blinken tried to deliver his opening remarks, an activist seated behind him held up hands covered in a red substance apparently meant to look like blood.
“Palestinians aren’t animals,” another demonstrator was heard yelling.
The repeated outbursts underscored the heated debate in the U.S. and abroad over Israel’s response to the Hamas attack, with growing voices urging the administration to push for a cease-fire amid a rising death toll in Gaza.
“I do recognize that people feel very passionately, but I ask we have order in this hearing room and respect our speakers,” Senate Appropriations Committee Chairwoman Patty Murray, Washington Democrat, said during a brief pause in the disruptions. “We will move forward with the hearing and allow the people here and the American people to hear from their witnesses.”
Mr. Blinken and Mr. Austin appeared before the panel to defend the Biden administration’s $105 billion funding bill that includes money for Israel’s war against Hamas, Ukraine’s fight against Russia and other national security matters.
Hamas’ raid on Israel killed more than 1,400 Israelis and led to 200 people, including Americans, taken hostage. In the weeks since, Israel has ramped up its strikes against Hamas targets in the Gaza Strip. Critics have taken aim at the Israeli response and said the civilian deaths on the Palestinian side are unacceptable. The death toll in Gaza has topped 8,000, according to the Hamas-run Health Ministry in the Palestinian enclave, though those exact figures have not been verified by outside groups.
Israel insists it’s targeting Hamas militants, not civilians, but that the group routinely bases its operations in schools, hospitals and other locations where innocent women and children can be used as human shields.
• Ben Wolfgang can be reached at bwolfgang@washingtontimes.com.
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