Pro-Palestinian protesters disrupt Blinken testimony during Senate hearing on Israel funding

A Senate Appropriations Committee hearing was interrupted multiple times by protesters calling for the United States to stop funding Israel and for an immediate ceasefire in the war between Israel and Hamas terrorists.

Senate Appropriations Committee Chairwoman Patty Murray (D-WA) had to halt the testimony of Secretary of State Antony Blinken five separate times in the span of 10 minutes during the hearing. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, who also testified during the hearing on funding to Ukraine and Israel, was not interrupted during his opening remarks.

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The first protester to be taken away was a woman wearing a pink shirt who was holding a sign that said, “No more $$$ 4 Israel.” As she was taken away by police, she was chanting “ceasefire now” as other protesters in the audience raised their hands colored with red paint.

(AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta)

The second protester to be taken away was also wearing a pink shirt and held a sign that said “ceasefire in Gaza” on one side and “no more $ for war” on the other side. As she was taken away by police, she claimed that Israel was committing “genocide” against Gaza.

A third protester interrupted the hearing shortly after the second protester by shouting and holding a sign saying, “No to the siege of Gaza.” She also chanted “ceasefire now” as she was taken away by police. A fourth protester, not holding any sign, interrupted the hearing by yelling about the need for a ceasefire as well.

(AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta)

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The fifth and final interruption came when the group of protesters who had been holding up their hands for the duration of the hearing decided to begin shouting and holding up signs. Some of the signs included “From Palestine to Mexico all walls have got to go” and “No walls no war.” The group of protesters chanted “ceasefire now” as they were escorted out of the room by police.

The hearing was held over the Biden administration’s national security supplemental funding request for $75 billion to go toward helping Ukraine and Israel in their respective wars.