WASHINGTON (NEXSTAR) - Pro-Palestinian protesters made multiple interruptions to Tuesday's confirmation hearing for President Donald Trump's pick to serve as ambassador to Israel.
During former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee's comments, protesters railed against Israel's actions in its war against
Hamas in Gaza.
"Huckabee misuses Christianity to justify ethnic cleansing!," one protester yelled while being escorted out of the hearing room. "Free Palestine! Free Palestine!"
"Well, the good news is they're not members of my family, which might be the case protesting me sometimes," Huckabee responded.
Huckabee's hearing focused on ending Israel's war against Hamas and freeing the remaining hostages. Last week, the Israeli military quit the U.S.-negotiated ceasefire and resumed its airstrikes in Gaza.
"The president has made it very clear that his goal is to see a real and lasting peace in the entire Middle East," Huckabee said.
Democrats in Congress argue President Trump is waging a new war here at home against those who protest against Israel.
"Trump and his administration are going after anyone who objects to his agenda," said U.S. Rep. Pramila Jayapal (D-Wash.).
A group of progressive lawmakers is calling for the immediate release of Mahmoud Khalil, the Columbia University graduate and green card holder who federal immigration agents arrested earlier this month.
"Let's be clear: Mahmoud's rights are our rights," said U.S. Rep. Rashida Tlaib (D-Mich.).
The Trump administration accuses Khalil of being a Hamas sympathizer and said his deportation is valid because he did not disclose connections to two organizations in his application to become a permanent U.S. resident.
Khalil's attorneys call that a weak argument. ...read more read less
