Pro-Palestinian protesters interrupted former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi during a taping of “The Late Show With Stephen Colbert,” demanding an end to ongoing military aid that the United States provides to Israel during its conflict with Hamas. Pelosi, who was promoting her new book, “The Art of Power,” was discussing President Joe Biden stepping away from his reelection bid when protesters shouted for a free Palestine from the audience. Colbert acknowledged the interruption and asked Pelosi about the situation after a commercial break. Pelosi stated that Israel has a right to defend itself and emphasized the need for trust and peace in resolving the conflict.
The audio temporarily cut out as protesters began shouting for an end to the conflict. Colbert acknowledged the protesters and their message that the United States should stop supplying Israel with arms. He received raucous applause inside the theater for his acknowledgment of the protesters’ concerns. Pelosi reiterated Israel’s right to defend itself but was interrupted once more by protesters. Colbert ended the segment as the interruptions continued, pleading with protesters not to interrupt his guests. Protesters also demonstrated outside the theater, highlighting the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas.
The conflict between Israel and Hamas began with a Hamas attack on Israel that killed an estimated 1,200 people. In response, Israel’s military campaign has killed more than 40,000 Palestinians and left many refugees lacking basic necessities like water, electricity, and anesthesia. The Biden administration has been working towards a cease-fire deal with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, but the U.S. continues to provide military aid to Israel, despite allegations of human rights abuses. Leaked memos from the State Department suggest that Israel may be violating international law by blocking aid to Gaza.
International mediators have initiated new cease-fire talks in Doha, Qatar, in an effort to address the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas. Pelosi’s appearance on “The Late Show” was disrupted by pro-Palestinian protesters demanding an end to U.S. military aid to Israel. While Pelosi reiterated Israel’s right to defend itself, she also emphasized the need for trust and peace in resolving the conflict. Protesters both inside and outside the theater brought attention to the devastating impact of the conflict on civilians in Gaza and the need for a peaceful resolution. The ongoing conflict has resulted in significant casualties and humanitarian crises, underscoring the urgency of finding a resolution to the long-standing dispute.
