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Secretary of State Antony Blinken's final press conference turned chaotic on Thursday when security forcibly removed two individuals who disrupted the event, accusing the U.S. government of complicity in the ongoing violence in Gaza. The interruptions came as tensions remain high following the announcement of a tentative cease-fire agreement between Hamas and Israel.
The disruption began with writer and activist Sam Husseini, who accused Blinken of blocking international legal action against Israel, shouting that the U.S. is enabling "genocide." When security attempted to remove Husseini, he resisted, clasping a table and shouting, "You're hurting me!" as he was physically carried out of the room. Moments later, journalist Max Blumenthal of Grayzone News loudly questioned Blinken about why U.S. military aid to Israel continued despite a cease-fire deal being proposed earlier in May. Blumenthal, though less combative, was also escorted out by security.
During the press conference, Blinken repeatedly urged the crowd to "respect the process" but struggled to regain focus amidst the commotion. He defended the Biden administration’s approach to the Israel-Hamas conflict, acknowledging the humanitarian toll on Palestinians while reiterating the U.S. stance that the actions in Gaza do not constitute genocide.
The disruptions highlighted lingering frustrations over U.S. foreign policy in the region. Critics argue the U.S. delayed brokering a cease-fire, prolonging the violence. The recently announced cease-fire deal, involving the U.S., Israel, Hamas, Egypt, and Qatar, is set to begin Sunday pending Israeli approval. It is the first significant pause in fighting since November, though skepticism remains about its durability.
The State Department later reiterated its commitment to press freedom but emphasized that all participants at briefings must follow professional norms. Meanwhile, the Biden administration continues to face criticism from both domestic and international audiences, underscoring the fraught nature of its policy decisions in the Israel-Hamas conflict.
*With information from The New York Post
