Gaza protesters repeatedly interrupt Senate hearing with Pentagon leaders

Protesters demonstrating against the war in Gaza repeatedly interrupted a Tuesday Senate hearing attended by Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and Joint Chiefs of Staff Chair Gen. Charles Brown.

The protesters interrupted the Senate Armed Services Committee hearing on Capitol Hill twice, demanding the U.S. “stop funding Israel” and supporting a “genocide” in Gaza, where Israel is fighting a major war against Hamas.

The group made it into the hearing room while Austin was delivering his opening remarks on the Pentagon’s 2025 budget request, forcing the committee to pause while police removed them from the room.

“Stop killing my people,” one demonstrator said. “Stop funding Israel.”

Several protesters began chanting to “stop the genocide in Gaza,” and at least one person said the U.S. should try to work on addressing issues like health care and climate change instead of sending money to Israel.

Sen. Jack Reed (D-R.I.), chair of the Senate Armed Services Committee, scolded protesters for interrupting the hearing.

“It is not appropriate for comments or demonstrations by the spectating audience here,” he said. “We are conducting a hearing, and we will do so.”

Israel launched the war in Gaza after Hamas fighters invaded southern Israel on Oct. 7, killing some 1,200 people and taking another roughly 240 hostages, with 100 still left alive and believed to be held by the Palestinian militant group.

Sen. Tom Cotton (R-Ark.) asked Austin later in the hearing if he agreed with the protesters that Israel was committing genocide in Gaza.

“We don’t have any evidence of genocide,” Austin replied. “I would remind everybody that what happened on Oct. 7 was absolutely horrible.”

Gaza protesters have interrupted several hearings on Capitol Hill previously and have appeared at events and speeches featuring President Biden.

Biden signaled some agreement last month during an event in North Carolina where he said the protesters “have a point” and there needs to be more aid in Gaza.

The Biden administration has grown increasingly concerned about the toll of the six-month war in Gaza, where more than 33,000 Palestinians have died. The president has tried to get more humanitarian aid into the strip and has urged Israel to minimize casualties, but he has also continued to send bombs and weapons to Israeli forces.

Biden faces a threat from his left in the November elections, as progressives, young voters and Arab Americans have already submitted protest votes at the primary ballot boxes over the Israel-Hamas war.

Austin said during the hearing that Israel must address the spiraling humanitarian situation in Gaza in a “meaningful way,” though he noted there was progress made when Israeli officials last week announced the opening of a new humanitarian border crossing in northern Gaza.

He also said the U.S. military is airdropping aid into Gaza and is working to construct a maritime port off the coast of the Strip. Austin added the initial operation capability of the pier should be completed by the third weekend of April.

The Pentagon chief stressed the best way for Israel to ensure peace in the region is to alleviate the crisis in Gaza.

“If they want to create a lasting effect in terms of stability,” Austin said of Israel, “then I think that something needs to be done … to help the Palestinian people.”