Antony Blinken Heckled During Final Press Conference on Gaza War
Outgoing U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken faced a disruptive confrontation during his last press briefing at the State Department on January 16, 2025. While defending the Biden administration's foreign policy regarding the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict, a journalist called him a "war criminal," accusing him of complicity in the violence.
The incident took place as journalists expressed frustration over U.S. military support for Israel amid the prolonged conflict, which has lasted 15 months. One journalist, Sam Husseini, interrupted Blinken, shouting, “Criminal! You belong in The Hague,” referencing the International Criminal Court. Security quickly escorted him out.
Another reporter, Max Blumenthal, criticized the continued support for bombings in a context where a cease-fire agreement had been discussed previously. Blinken attempted to defend U.S. actions by stating that Israel has a legal and procedural framework to handle its internal issues.
As he prepares to leave office on January 20, Blinken's tenure has been marked by criticism related to the U.S. response to the Israel-Hamas war, especially following the events of October 7.
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