Pro-Palestinian Protesters Disrupt Secretary of State Antony Blinken’s Testimony, Calling for Cease-Fire in Gaza Strip

Pro-Palestinian protesters disrupted Secretary of State Antony Blinken’s testimony before the Senate Appropriations Committee on Tuesday, calling for a cease-fire in the Gaza Strip. The protesters, who were seated in the back of the chamber with red-painted hands, yelled at Blinken, “You have blood on your hands! Murderer!” and “Cease-fire now!”

The interruption occurred as Blinken was outlining the Biden administration’s requests for more U.S. aid to support Israel’s attacks on Gaza. Some of the protesters held signs calling for a cease-fire and the end of U.S. funding in Israel.

Blinken paused his testimony without looking back at the demonstration, and security eventually removed at least one protester from the room. Blinken’s testimony was part of a hearing reviewing the Biden administration’s national security supplemental funding request.

The interruption was not limited to Blinken’s testimony. Other officials also had their testimonies interrupted by protesters, who shouted slogans such as “From Palestine to Mexico, all the walls have got to go!”

The protest comes amid a growing international outcry over the ongoing conflict in the Gaza Strip, which has left more than 200 people dead and thousands more injured. The Biden administration has called for an immediate cease-fire, but has also expressed support for Israel’s right to defend itself.