Police shuffle audience members out of the hearing after a “disturbance.” (Tal Axelrod/MNS)
WASHINGTON – Approximately 50 people were kicked out of a hearing Wednesday at the House Subcommittee on the Middle East and North Africa after audience members murmured support for a campaign that aims to pressure Israel to acknowledge Palestinian rights after a witness mentioned the movement.
The hearing reviewed the Palestinian Authority effort to join the International Criminal Court, supposedly with the goal of bringing war crimes charges against Israel.
Following a witness comment on the international Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions campaign, there was a level of audible commenting from the audience in the hearing room. Subcommittee Chairwoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, R-Fla., then suspended the hearing and ordered Capitol police to remove those responsible for what she called a “disturbance.” Most, but not all, of those in attendance were escorted out of the room.
The BDS campaign is designed to pressure Israel to comply “with international law and Palestinian rights…” according to the movement’s website. The campaign’s efforts, including the American Studies Association boycott of Israeli academic institutions, have caused controversy across the country on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
“We were actually put out. Only the people wearing Palestinian garb were asked to leave,” said Constance Hamilton, who was attending the hearing. “They kicked people out because we weren’t on their side. If we were chanting for them, I’m sure it wouldn’t be a problem. It was definitely the message that got us kicked out. Now there’s no one inside on the Palestinian side.”
Ros-Lehtinen proclaimed prior to the hearing that standing or holding signs would not be allowed, stating, “Disruptions of committee proceedings are against the law and will not be tolerated.”
People chanted “shame” as police began shuffling people into the hallway. Audience members in the hallway also were frustrated with the hearing’s witness lineup.
“Why does that subcommittee only inviting pro-Netanyahu, pro-Israel voices?” asked Dr. Bill Simonds, a member of the D.C. metro chapter of Jewish Voice for Peace. “There’s every reason for the ICC to investigate. Yet Americans couldn’t hear from Palestinian voices, they couldn’t hear any Palestinian voices, which is ridiculous.”
The hearing continued with a few people allowed back in.
Ros-Lehtinen slammed the Palestinian Authority in her opening statement, citing their ICC bid and alleged incitement of violence. Fellow Florida Rep. Ted Deutch, the top Democrat on the committee, echoed her sentiment, calling the bid “an egregious breach of U.S. trust.”
All four witnesses had a noted pro-Israel tone, calling for a removal of PA President Mahmoud Abbas and the freezing of hundreds of millions of dollars in aid to the West Bank government.
“There was a panel full of people who came here with their opinions already filled, already made. It was a panel filled with four people here to speak on behalf of Israel,” Hamilton said. “Nothing is fair.”
