Anti-war protesters confront US officials at Senate hearing

A large number of protesters with their hands covered in red paint symbolizing blood have interrupted a congressional hearing, demanding Washington stop funding Israel's massacre of Palestinians under siege in Gaza.

The anti-war protesters repeatedly called for a "ceasefire now!" as US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin were appealing to the Senate Appropriations Committee on Tuesday for billions of dollars more of US taxpayers' money for funding the military forces of Israel, Ukraine and other Washington allies.

They denounced Washington for funding the Israeli regime forces committing genocide against millions of Palestinians in the Occupied Lands.

The protesters who had their hands covered in red paint to show the US government had blood on its hands due to the Gaza genocide stood in the crowd and called for "Ceasefire now!" and "Protect the children of Gaza!"

One protester cited the thousands of Palestinian children martyred in Gaza since the brutal Israeli forces launched airstrikes and, recently, a ground offensive.

The anti-war protesters stood up one by one as Blinken wanted to begin his speech before shouting over him again.

He was forced to pause several times. The police quickly escorted the protesters out. It said 12 people had been arrested.

Blinken acknowledged he heard the protesters during the session. However, he insisted the US must stick to its allies, giving all-out support to the Israeli forces in their weeks-long massacre of the Gazans in the besieged Palestinian territory with US-made weapons.

"I ... hear, very much, the passions expressed in this room and outside this room," Blinken said at the end of his opening remarks.

"All of us are committed to the protection of civilian life. All of us know the suffering that is taking place as we speak, all of us are determined to see it end," he said.

He added, however, that it was imperative that the US stand with its allies.

US President Joe Biden, who claims that funding US allies is vital to America’s security, has asked Congress to approve tens of billions of dollars for Israel, Ukraine, Chinese Taipei and other military purposes.

ME