Protesters discuss disruption to US Senate hearing with Blinken over Gaza

Around 20 activists disrupted US Secretary of State Antony Blinken as he spoke at a public Senate hearing on a bill that entails a massive aid package to Israel and Ukraine.

On Tuesday, 1 November, the protesters, who represented different groups, held up their hands painted in red to symbolise blood, held signs condemning US support for Israel, and yelled their demand for an immediate ceasefire in Israel's ongoing military assault on Gaza.

"We were arrested for incommoding or interfering with the business of Congress. We said we were interfering with the business of genocide," Medea Benjamin, co-founder of Code Pink, a feminist human rights organisation, told The New Arab.

"It felt important for our voices of humanity to be heard against the heartlessness of the funding for Israel," she said.

Blinken was speaking at the hearing to discuss a bill for a US$106 billion supplemental aid package requested by US President Joe Biden that would include more than US$14 billion in funding for Israel, which already receives around US$4 billion in US funding annually, in addition to US$1 billion for its Iron Dome missile defence system.

So far, the US has opposed a ceasefire for Israel's strikes on Gaza. However, the administration has said that it supports a "humanitarian pause" that would allow aid to enter the Gaza Strip, which has almost entirely been cut off from the outside world.

The protesters interrupted Blinken multiple times as he was making his opening statements, making his case for the massive aid package. The Secretary of State made an impassioned plea for the bill, linking the different spending measures to US and Israeli national security. 

"Ceasefire now! Save the children of Gaza! Where's your pride, America?" a man could be heard yelling at Blinken from the other side of the room. 

"The president's request would secure the urgent resources we need to continue to lead," said Blinken, shortly before more chanting was heard in the background. He then waited several times for the police to remove the chanting protesters.

As Blinken tried to resume talking, another chant by multiple protesters broke out as they yelled in unison, "From Palestine to Mexico, all the walls have got to go!"

After about half an hour, the room was cleared of the protesters causing interruptions. The activists that remained were those sitting silently, holding up their painted red hands.

"Helping prevent a worsening humanitarian catastrophe aligns with our nation's most deeply held principles, including our belief that every civilian life is equally valuable, equally worthy of protection," said Blinken as he advocated for the aid package. "Humanitarian assistance is also vital to Israel's security." He added that the funding was critical for the US to outcompete strategic rivals, bolstering deterrents.  

Sana Siddiq, regional director for Muslims for Just Futures, stayed in the room while she silently held up her red hands.

She told TNA she wanted to attend the hearing "to uplift the humanity of Palestinians."

She said, "We thought this was a moment for all of us to step up. We knew this couldn't stand."

This week's disruption during Blinken's Senate testimony was one of many protests that have taken place at high-level government institutions around the world since Israel began its assault and siege on Gaza following a surprise attack on Israel by Hamas on 7 October. 

The next major demonstration, expected to be the largest yet, is scheduled for Saturday afternoon at Freedom Plaza in Washington, DC.