Secretary of State Antony Blinken's testimony before the Senate Appropriations Committee was interrupted on Tuesday as protesters called for a cease-fire in the Gaza Strip. The outcries from the audience came as Blinken outlined the Biden administration's national security supplemental funding request, which includes $3.7 billion for Israel's "security needs."
Some protesters shouted "Cease-fire now!" and "People are not animals!" while others sat silently with their hands raised and painted red, calling for an end to U.S. funding for Israel. The interruptions also disrupted comments from Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin.
According to a news release from CODEPINK, a peace and social justice organization, multiple members were arrested during the protest, including 29-year U.S. Army veteran and former diplomat Col. Ann Wright. The organization stated that the red-painted hands of the silent audience members were meant to symbolize blood.
While the interruptions caused some disruptions, Blinken continued to present the administration's request for aid, which amounts to $106 billion in total. Of this amount, $14 billion would be directed to Israel, with $3.7 billion allocated for its "security needs," including bolstering "air and missile defense systems."
When Leftist TROLL Their Own! Pro-Gaza Protesters REPEATEDLY INTERRUPT Biden's Secretary of State pic.twitter.com/HlOX8MyKXR
— Breitbart News (@BreitbartNews) October 31, 2023
In his testimony, Blinken emphasized that the aid would show "enduring support" for the countries receiving it. He also noted that an additional $50 billion would be used to replenish U.S. military stocks and strengthen the domestic defense industrial base, as well as to support American businesses.
However, Congressional Republicans have sought to separate funding for Israel from aid for Ukraine and other spending. On Monday, they unveiled a $14.3 billion standalone measure that would use IRS cuts to fund emergency aid for Israel.
The United States' support of Israel has faced criticism in recent weeks, especially amid the ongoing violence in Gaza. Since the Oct. 7 terror attacks carried out by Hamas, there have been retaliatory strikes between Israel and Gaza, with an Israeli ground invasion currently ongoing. Amid these events, Gaza has been under a blockade that has prevented necessary supplies from entering, leading to further backlash. The Hamas-run Gaza Ministry of Health has reported thousands of deaths, many of which have been civilians, prompting widespread condemnation.
In his prepared remarks, Blinken acknowledged the need to reduce civilian deaths and emphasized the Biden administration's stance on this issue.
"As President Biden has made clear from the outset, while Israel has the right - and indeed, the obligation - to defend itself, the way it does so matters," Blinken said. "In our discussions with the Israeli Government, the President and I have both stressed the need for Israel to operate by the law of war and in accordance with international humanitarian law, and to take all possible measures to avoid civilian casualties."
The disruptions during Blinken's testimony reflect the ongoing debate and tension surrounding U.S. involvement in the conflict between Israel and Gaza. While the administration continues to push for aid to support Israel's security needs, criticism and calls for a cease-fire are growing louder. As the situation continues to unfold, it remains to be seen how the United States will navigate its involvement in the region.