Protesters Disrupt Senate Hearing as Blinken Addresses Gaza Conflict

In a fiery Senate testimony on Tuesday, Secretary of State Antony Blinken condemned the chief prosecutor of the world’s top war crimes court for seeking the arrest of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Blinken also stood firm on the administration’s stance towards Iran, despite offering condolences for the death of President Ebrahim Raisi.

During the hearing, Blinken faced interruptions from protesters denouncing U.S. policy towards Israel and its conflict with Hamas in Gaza. The Senate committees had to halt the proceedings multiple times as demonstrators accused Blinken of being a “war criminal” and responsible for a “genocide” against the Palestinian people.

Despite the criticism, Blinken reiterated that the International Criminal Court does not have jurisdiction over Israel and that it was wrong to equate Israeli officials with Hamas leaders. He also emphasized that the condolences offered for Raisi’s death did not change the administration’s stance on his repressive actions as a judge and president.

Meanwhile, indirect talks between a top Middle East adviser to President Biden and Iran’s acting foreign minister were reported, with messages being shuttled through Omani officials. These talks come amid escalating tensions in the region, with concerns that the Israel-Hamas conflict could spiral into a broader regional conflict.

As the situation continues to unfold, the Biden administration is navigating a delicate balance between condemning human rights abuses and managing the risk of further escalation in the Middle East.