Pro-Palestinian protesters descend on Senate, interrupt Blinken testimony and demand 'cease-fire now'

WASHINGTON — Protesters repeatedly interrupted Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Tuesday as he delivered testimony to a Senate committee on the administration's emergency funding request for Israel and Ukraine.

As Blinken sought to give opening remarks, the demonstrators called for a "cease-fire now" and accused the U.S. of supporting a "massacre" in Gaza, which has been under bombardment from Israel since Hamas launched a surprise attack on the nation in early October.

Victims of the assault were executed, bound and burned alive, and other bodies were found decapitated. Approximately 1,400 Israelis were killed and more than 200 people were kidnapped. Israel responded to the shocking attack with airstrikes in the Gaza Strip that the Hamas-run health ministry says have claimed the lives of 8,525 Palestinians.

"Save the children of Gaza," an unidentified protester shouted. "Cease-fire now. Where is your pride in America."

Another protester yelled as he was led out of the room by security: "Stop the brutal massacre."

The group of more than a dozen demonstrators, who appeared to be part of the activist group CODEPINK, raised their hands in the air, and held up several signs including one that said, “All the walls have got to go.”

Their hands were painted red. Protesters also chanted in unison, "From Palestine to Mexico, all the walls have got to go."

Blinken eventually finished his testimony. Committee chair Patty Murray, D-Wash., suspended the hearing briefly, before Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin began his opening remarks, so Capitol Police could clear the hearing room.

The interruptions during a Senate Appropriations Committee were evidence of the challenges facing the Biden administration as it seeks congressional approval for a historic $106 billion aid package that provides support to Israel and Ukraine and humanitarian assistance to the Gaza Strip. The money would also help to replenish U.S. weapons stockpiles and modernize equipment.

Blinken told the committee that the U.S. had stressed to Israel to act in accordance with international humanitarian law and to take all possible measures to avoid civilian casualties.

Senators press on Gaza Strip assistance

Biden asked Congress for more than $61.4 billion for Ukraine, roughly half of which would go toward replacing equipment the U.S. has sent the nation to defend itself against Russia, and $14.3 billion for Israel.

He is also requesting money for U.S. border security, the administration's efforts to counter China and humanitarian assistance, including for the people of the Gaza Strip.

Senators pressed Blinken on Tuesday on the delivery of humanitarian aid and whether it was being diverted by Hamas, the militant group that governs over the Gaza Strip.

The secretary of state said the U.S. has not received reports from the United Nations or Israel of diversions and it is tracking the situation closely.

More than 50 trucks of relief are entering the Gaza Strip, he said, and the U.S. is seeking to raise that to 100 trucks by the end of this week. But aid organizations previously sent 500-800 trucks a day in, Blinken testified.

"Can I promise you and this committee that there will be 100% delivery to the designated recipients? No. There will inevitably be some spillage," Blinken said. "The overwhelming – overwhelming majority of the assistance thus far is getting to people who need it. And we need more."

The U.S. has provided $1.6 billion in assistance to the Palestinians over the course of the administration, he said, and it is pushing its partners and allies to step up their support.

U.S. opposes a cease-fire in Israel-Hamas war

The U.S. has opposed a cease-fire but says it could support temporary humanitarian "pauses" that would allow aid to flow into certain communities and hostages and civilians to leave the country safely.

Israel says that approximately 240 people are being held hostage by Hamas. The U.S. has said that at least 10 Americans are among the captives.

Blinken shared in gruesome detail the slaughter of civilians, including families and children, in Israel by militants during the Oct. 7 attack as he reaffirmed U.S. support for Israel's military defense.

"No nation could tolerate that," he said of the slaying.

Biden administration pushes for Ukraine

Republicans in the House of Representatives are pursuing legislation that breaks out assistance to Israel from the rest of Biden's request. The approach runs counter to the Senate's strategy and the Biden administration's push for additional military assistance for Ukraine, which is running low.

Blinken told senators that if the U.S. does not continue to provide assistance to Ukraine, Russia could potentially fire on a NATO member state next, drawing America's military into the war.

"We are much better sustaining our effort now, seeing this to success, than having to pay a much higher price later," Blinken said.

Ukraine has been able to regain 50% of the territory that Russia initially occupied, Austin said in his testimony. He argued that they "have made remarkable progress."

GOP wants answers on Iran

GOP Senators were especially forceful in their questioning on Iran and the administration's response to drone and rocket attacks on U.S. troops in Iraq and Syria.

The U.S. struck two facilities linked to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and its affiliates in Syria last week.

Austin said the U.S. will do what is "necessary" to protect American troops and interests. He emphasized that the Pentagon had moved assets to the region to serve as a deterrent.

"The president has been clear, and I have been clear...if this doesn't stop, then we will respond," Austin said. "We maintain the right to respond, we have the capability to do that, and we will respond at a time and place of our choosing."

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Pro-Palestinian protesters interrupt Blinken testimony on Israel