![Pro-Palestinian demonstrators with their hands painted the colour of blood hold a demonstration to call for a ceasefire in Gaza as US Secretary of State Antony Blinken testifies before the House Foreign Affairs Committee on the U.S. Withdrawal from Afghanistan on Capitol Hill in Washington DC, United States on December 11, 2024 [Celal Güneş/Anadolu Agency]](https://i0.wp.com/www.middleeastmonitor.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/AA-20241211-36457256-36457245-PROPALESTINIAN_ACTIVISTS_PROTESTS_DURING_BLINKENS_HOUSE_TESTIMONY_IN_WASHINGTON_DC-scaled-e1733950515994.jpg?fit=1200%2C799&ssl=1)
A group of pro-Palestinian protestors repeatedly disrupted Secretary of State Antony Blinken’s testimony, Wednesday, before a House of Representatives panel on the chaotic US withdrawal from Afghanistan, Anadolu Agency reports.
One protester shouted: “Bloody Blinken” and “Butcher of Gaza” as Blinken began his remarks.
A second demonstrator, holding a sign that read: “Stop Bombing Kids”, yelled: “Stop killing kids in Gaza” and “I don’t know how you can sleep at night when you’re killing so many kids in tents.” The protester was arrested and removed from the chamber.
Blinken continued his testimony, despite the disruptions.
“BUTCHER OF GAZA”
Secretary of State Antony Blinken is disrupted this morning during his testimony before the House Foreign Affairs Committee. pic.twitter.com/QdgVRytSKs
— CODEPINK (@codepink) December 11, 2024
The US, Israel’s primary supporter, provides nearly 70 per cent of its weapons, along with significant diplomatic backing. The support has drawn growing criticism amid the escalating civilian death toll in the Gaza Strip from Israel’s ongoing military onslaught.
Israel’s offensive has killed more than 44,800 people, mostly women and children, since a 7 October, 2023 attack by the Palestinian Resistance group, Hamas.
The International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants last month for Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, and his former Defence chief, Yoav Gallant, for war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza.
Israel also faces a genocide case at the International Court of Justice for its war on Gaza.
READ: Ireland to join genocide case against Israel, ask Court to ‘broaden its interpretation’
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