Austin says U.S. has no evidence Israel has committed genocide after interruption from protesters

2 Min Read
ARLINGTON, VIRGINIA - NOVEMBER 22: U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin speaks during a virtual Ukraine Defense Contact Group (UDCG) meeting at the Pentagon on November 22, 2023 in Arlington, Virginia. Austin gave opening remarks to participating members including foreign ministers and secretary of states. (Photo by Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)

During a Senate Armed Services Committee hearing after protesters interrupted the panel and called for the U.S. to stop funding the war, which they referred to as a genocide, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin shot back the U.S. doesn’t “have any evidence of genocide” being committed by Israel.

- Advertisement -

As Austin was making opening remarks on the Pentagon’s 2025 budget request, protesters interrupted the hearing, 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 “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.

At which point, Austin stated the U.S. doesn’t “have any evidence of genocide” being committed. Hamas killed more than 1,100 people in the attack against Israel on October 7, and took over 240 hostages.

The Hill reports that Austin also avoided referring to the deadly Oct. 7 Hamas attacks on southern Israel as a genocide after questioning from Sen. Roger Wicker (R-Miss.), ranking member on the committee. “It certainly is a war crime,” Austin said of the Oct. 7 attacks after Wicker repeatedly pressed him on referring to it as a genocide.

- Advertisement -
Leave a Comment

This will close in 20 seconds