WASHINGTON
Outgoing US Secretary of State Antony Blinken faced protests Thursday from two reporters on the genocide in the Gaza Strip during a news conference at the State Department.
American journalist Max Blumenthal interrupted Blinken’s remarks at the beginning of the briefing and said 300 reporters in Gaza were targeted by US bombs.
"Why did you keep the bombs flowing when we had a deal in May, we all knew we had a deal. Everyone in this room knows we had a deal, Tony, and you kept the bombs flowing. Why did you sacrifice the rules-based order on the mantle of your commitment to Zionism," shouted Blumenthal.
❝Why did you allow the Holocaust of our time to happen❞
— Anadolu English (@anadoluagency) January 16, 2025
❝Why did you sacrifice the rules based on the mantle of your commitment to Zionism❞
Journalist Max Blumenthal confronted US Secretary of State Blinken, questioning him about Israel's ongoing genocide against civilians… pic.twitter.com/xMRDXgLQNE
"Why did you allow my friends to be massacred? Why did you allow my friend’s homes in Gaza to be destroyed when we had a deal in May? You just helped destroy our religion, Judaism, by associating it with fascism. You wave the white flag before you wave the white flag before Israeli fascists. Your father-in-law was an Israel lobbyist. Your grandfather was an Israel lobbyist. Are you compromised by Israel? Why did you allow the Holocaust of our time to happen? How does it feel to have your legacy be genocide? How does it feel to have your legacy be genocide? You too, Matt, you smirk through the whole thing every day. Smirk through genocide," he said. The Matt he was referring to is Matthew Miller, a spokesperson for the agency.
Another reporter, Sam Husseini also protested Blinken, and was forcibly removed from the briefing room after interrupting Blinken's news conference.
🗣️ ‘You pontificate about a free press’
— Anadolu English (@anadoluagency) January 16, 2025
A pro-Palestinian independent journalist Sam Husseini was dragged and manhandled by police as he was removed from the US Secretary of State Blinken’s briefing pic.twitter.com/tOrDSDsLid
Husseini called Blinken a "criminal."
"Everyone from Amnesty International to the ICJ (International Court of Justice) is saying Israel is doing genocide and extermination and you're telling me to respect the process? Why aren't you in The Hague?" said Husseini.
The briefing was one day after Qatar announced a cease-fire agreement to end more than 15 months of Israeli attacks on Gaza, which have claimed the lives of more than 46,000 people since Oct. 7, 2023. The onslaught has reduced the territory to rubble and caused a humanitarian disaster.
A three-phase deal is expected to take effect on Sunday.
The deal includes a prisoner exchange and sustained calm, aiming for a permanent truce and the withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza.
In November 2024, the International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant for war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza.
Israel also faces a genocide case at the International Court of Justice for its war on the enclave.
Anadolu Agency website contains only a portion of the news stories offered to subscribers in the AA News Broadcasting System (HAS), and in summarized form. Please contact us for subscription options.
