During US Secretary of State Antony Blinken’s final press conference at the State Department, two protesters disrupted the briefing room, voicing their opposition to US support for Israel. The first protestor shouted about the US sending weapons to Israel, prompting Blinken to calmly respond that he would address questions later. Despite the interruption, Blinken's determination to continue with his remarks was evident.
Encouraged by other members of the press to proceed, Blinken faced a second interruption from an independent journalist who accused him of being a 'criminal' due to US support for Israel. Blinken, once again, maintained his composure and urged the protestor to respect the process, assuring that questions would be entertained shortly.
Both protesters were escorted out of the room by members of Blinken’s press team. The first protestor, seated toward the back, recorded his interaction with Blinken as he voiced his concerns. The second protestor, an independent journalist, also had to be removed after multiple interruptions.
Despite the disruptions, Blinken stayed true to his word and later took questions from the press, demonstrating his commitment to transparency and open dialogue. The incident highlighted the challenges faced by public officials in maintaining decorum during press conferences, especially on sensitive international issues.
