During a Senate Foreign Relations Committee hearing, at least four anti-Israel agitators were removed from the room by Capitol police while Secretary of State Antony Blinken testified about the State Department’s budget. As Blinken began his opening statement, a man shouted about a 6-year-old boy reportedly killed in Gaza, accusing Blinken of being the “Butcher of Gaza” and murdering innocent Palestinians. Despite warnings from Chairman Sen. Ben Cardin that anyone speaking out would be removed, additional protesters continued to disrupt the hearing. One elderly woman shouted “Stop the genocide” before being escorted out, while another woman accused Blinken of being a war criminal responsible for the deaths of 40,000 Palestinians. A fourth protester claimed Blinken was funding a genocide in Gaza and accused him of being a war criminal.
Blinken is advocating before Congress for President Biden’s more than $60 billion budget request for the State Department and the Agency for International Development. His testimony includes addressing concerns about the International Criminal Court’s decision to pursue arrest warrants against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his defense minister, as well as three Hamas leaders accused of war crimes and crimes against humanity. A bipartisan group of senators, including Cardin, Lindsey Graham, Richard Blumenthal, Jeanne Shaheen, and others, released a statement condemning the ICC’s actions and highlighting the false equivalence drawn between Israel and Hamas.
During his testimony, Blinken expressed willingness to work with Congress to respond to the ICC’s decision, which he described as “extremely wrongheaded” and complicating efforts to reach a cease-fire agreement in the Middle East. Blinken emphasized the importance of distinguishing between Israel as a democratic state committed to the rule of law and Hamas as a terrorist organization, noting the implications of the ICC’s actions on ongoing negotiations and humanitarian efforts in the region. He assured the Senate Foreign Relations Committee of the Biden administration’s commitment to addressing the situation appropriately.
Secretary of State Antony Blinken testified before the Democrat-controlled Senate Foreign Relations Committee and later before the Appropriations subcommittee. He is scheduled to return to the Capitol to testify before the Republican-controlled House Foreign Affairs Committee and an appropriations subcommittee. Blinken’s testimony includes discussing the State Department’s priorities and initiatives, as well as addressing concerns related to ongoing conflicts in the Middle East, including the ICC’s decision regarding Israeli leaders and the impact on peace negotiations in the region. He emphasized the administration’s commitment to working with Congress to respond effectively to these challenges.
The disruptions caused by the anti-Israel protesters during Blinken’s testimony highlighted the contentious nature of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and the differing perspectives on the role of the United States in the region. The protests underscored the deep divisions and strong emotions surrounding the issue, as well as the challenges faced by policymakers in navigating complex international conflicts. Despite the disruptions, Blinken remained focused on presenting the administration’s budget priorities and addressing concerns raised by members of Congress about the ICC’s decision and its implications for peace efforts in the Middle East. As the Biden administration seeks to engage with Congress and international partners to address these issues, the disruptions during the hearing serve as a reminder of the complexities and sensitivities involved in diplomacy and conflict resolution in the region.
