Protest hits hearing as US seeks aid for allies

WASHINGTON/GAZA — Multiple protesters demanding an immediate cease-fire in the Gaza Strip repeatedly interrupted a hearing held by the US Senate on the Joe Biden administration's massive budget request for funding Israel and Ukraine.

The Senate Appropriations Committee hearing, attended by Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin as witnesses giving testimonies, was interrupted at least six times by multiple anti-conflict protesters, who called for an end to the brutality and condemned the United States for aiding the "massacre".

As the hearing began, a line of protesters raised red-stained hands in the air as a mark of protest. Capitol Police later removed them from the hearing room after they shouted protests, including "Cease fire now!" and "Protect the children of Gaza!"

Israel this week launched a ground offensive in Gaza as it retaliated against Hamas militants who killed 1,400 people and took at least 240 hostages in a raid on Oct 7.

Gaza health authorities said on Wednesday 8,796 people, including 3,648 children, had been killed in Israeli attacks since then. The United Nations said more than 1.4 million of Gaza's civilian population of about 2.3 million have been rendered homeless.

In South America, Bolivia said on Tuesday it had broken diplomatic ties with Israel because of its attacks on Gaza, while neighbors Colombia and Chile recalled their ambassadors to the Middle Eastern country for consultations.

"Bolivia decided to break diplomatic relations with the state of Israel in repudiation and condemnation of the aggressive and disproportionate Israeli military offensive taking place in the Gaza Strip," Deputy Foreign Minister Freddy Mamani said at a news conference.

Bolivian President Luis Arce said on social media: "We reject the war crimes being committed in Gaza. We support international initiatives to guarantee humanitarian aid, in compliance with international law."

The three nations lambasted Israel's attacks on Gaza and condemned the deaths of Palestinian citizens.

They called for a cease-fire, with Bolivia and Chile pushing for the passage of humanitarian aid into the zone and accusing Israel of violating international law.

Other Latin American countries, such as Mexico and Brazil, have also called for a cease-fire.

Latest sign

Turkiye and Iran on Wednesday called for a regional conference aimed at averting the spread of the conflict.

"We do not want the human tragedy in Gaza to turn into a war that affects the region's countries," Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan told a joint media appearance with Iranian counterpart Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, who urged the meeting to be held "as soon as possible".

On Wednesday, Israeli airstrikes hit a densely populated refugee camp in Gaza, killing at least 50 Palestinians and a Hamas commander.

Saudi Arabia denounced the strike "in the strongest terms possible", decrying the "inhumane targeting" of the refugee camp "by the Israeli occupation forces".

The statement is the latest sign the Israel-Hamas conflict has fractured efforts to normalize relations between Saudi Arabia and Israel, Agence France-Presse commented.

But there is little sign of the conflict abating.

The Palestinian telecommunications agency said on Wednesday that phone and internet services had "been completely cut off in Gaza".

Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has dismissed international calls for a humanitarian cease-fire. "This will not happen," he said.

At the Capitol Hill, minutes into Blinken's opening remarks, a man in the audience was heard shouting "Cease fire now!" and "Where is your pride, America?" before he was escorted out of the room by police.

Shortly after, Blinken was again cut off mid-speech, as several protesters were heard yelling at him and committee members. "Cease fire now!" they said. "Let Gaza live!"

"The US is supporting a brutal massacre," a female protester was heard lashing out during one of the disruptions. "Not one senator is calling for a cease-fire! Shame on you all! Cease fire now. Stop funding this brutal massacre," she continued even when forced by the police to leave the room.

Blinken resumed his testimony each time one protester was evicted, only to be interrupted again by the ensuing protests. He said the funding, totaling $106 billion, will support Israel and Ukraine in their respective conflicts with Hamas and Russia.

Toward the end of his opening statement, Blinken drifted away from his prepared script to address the protesters directly.

"I also hear very much the passions expressed in this room and outside this room," the secretary said, adding while the Biden administration is "determined" to see the sufferings of Gazans end, it is nonetheless "imperative" for the United States to "resolutely" stand up with allies and partners.

No truce, no votes

Some Muslim and Arab-American groups are threatening to withhold donations and votes toward Biden's 2024 reelection unless he takes immediate steps to secure a Gaza cease-fire.

In an open letter entitled "2023 Cease-fire Ultimatum", Muslim leaders pledged to mobilize "Muslim, Arab and allied voters" to "withhold endorsement, support, or votes for any candidate who endorses the Israeli offensive against the Palestinian people".

Blinken will begin a new Middle East trip on Friday, as Biden seeks "urgent mechanisms" to reduce regional tensions over the conflict.

Xinhua - Agencies