Pro-Palestinian protests interrupt Blinken’s Senate testimony

On Tuesday, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken’s testimony before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee was repeatedly interrupted by pro-Palestinian demonstrators.

“Blinken, you will be remembered as the butcher of Gaza,” one protester shouted as he was removed from the chamber by Capitol police. “You will be remembered for murdering innocent Palestinians.”

Blinken’s testimony was halted at least four more times as demonstrators sought to highlight ongoing U.S. support for Israel’s war on the besieged Gaza Strip. They called the invasion “sick” and “deranged,” and repeatedly labeled Blinken a “war criminal.”

“Stop the genocide! Stop the genocide! Stop the genocide!” another elderly demonstrator shouted as she was escorted out of the committee room.

“He is a war criminal. The blood of 40,000 people is on your hands. The blood of 40,000 Palestinians is on your hands,” yet another protester yelled.

The top U.S. diplomat’s testimony comes as Israel’s war enters its 8 month amid relentless bombardment that has led to widespread devastation and mass displacement throughout Gaza.

Since the war began in October, more than 35,600 Palestinians have been killed, the vast majority of whom are women and children, and nearly 79,900 others injured.