Ben Jerry's founding member expelled from Senate amid Gaza demonstration protests
Rewritten Article:
In a dramatic scene at a recent congressional hearing, 74-year-old businessman and philanthropist, Eddie Cohen, was handcuffed by Capitol Police after disrupting Health Secretary Robert F Kennedy Jr's testimony.The interruption happened amidst discussions about the department's proposed budget, with Cohen shouting, "Congress pays for bombs to kill children in Gaza while slashing Medicaid for low-income families."
Cohen, known for his outspoken stance against Israeli policies, was expressing his frustration over the US's continued approval of $20 billion worth of military aid for Israel, a move he considers as diverting resources from vital social programs.
Cohen emphasized, "The majority of Americans hate what our country is doing with our money in our name." He further argued, "If you spent half of that money making lives better around the world, I think there'd be a whole lot less friction."
Public opinion towards Israel has notably soured, especially among Democrats, according to a Pew Research Center Poll from last month. Cohen framed the issue as a moral and spiritual breach, stating, "Condoning and being complicit in the slaughter of tens of thousands of people strikes at the core of us as human beings and what our country stands for."
In an analogy, Cohen likened the ongoing conflict to a three-year-old misbehaving, asserting, "You go to a three-year-old who goes around hitting people and you say 'Use your words.' There's issues between countries but you can work them out without killing."
A longtime critic of Israeli policy, Cohen recently joined prominent Jewish figures in an open letter opposing AIPAC (the American Israel Public Affairs Committee). He acknowledged, "I understand that I have a higher profile than most people and so I raise my voice. But I need you and others to understand that I speak for millions of people who feel the same way."
The conflict between Israel and Gaza has escalated since March 2025, leading to a critical humanitarian crisis due to widespread destruction of civilian infrastructure, hospitals, residential buildings, schools, and tents housing displaced people. The population faces a critical risk of famine, with nearly half a million people at risk of starvation, and over 17,000 pregnant and breastfeeding women requiring treatment for malnutrition.
Doctors in Gaza report being out of medicine for routine conditions, further complicating the healthcare crisis. Israel has blocked all food and supplies from entering Gaza, exacerbating the situation. Critics argue that the international community has turned away from the crisis, leaving Gaza in a state where international law is perceived as being suspended, and humanity abandoned. There are fears of further humanitarian deterioration as Israeli leaders have threatened a more intense ground offensive.
© 2025 AFP
Enrichment Data (15%):- The conflict between Israel and Gaza has been ongoing since March 2025, with a significant escalation following the collapse of a ceasefire on the night between March 17 and 18, 2025. The intensified conflict has resulted in widespread destruction of civilian infrastructure, hospitals, residential buildings, schools, and tents housing displaced people.- The humanitarian crisis in Gaza is critical. The entire population is at risk of famine, and half a million people are at risk of starvation. Additionally, nearly 71,000 children under five are expected to be acutely malnourished by April 2026, and over 17,000 pregnant and breastfeeding women require treatment for malnutrition.- Doctors in Gaza report being out of medicine for routine conditions, exacerbating the healthcare crisis. Israel has blocked all food and supplies from entering Gaza, further complicating the humanitarian response.- Critics argue that the international community has turned away from the Gaza crisis, leaving the population in a state where international law is perceived as being suspended, and humanity abandoned. There are fears of further humanitarian deterioration as Israeli leaders have threatened a more intense ground offensive.
- Eddie Cohen, during a recent congressional hearing, was handcuffed by Capitol Police after disrupting Health Secretary Robert F Kennedy Jr's testimony, arguing that US resources should be prioritized on health and wellness, rather than supporting war and conflicts in regions like Gaza.
- In a Pew Research Center Poll, public opinion towards Israel notably soured, especially among Democrats, with Cohen framing the issue as a moral and spiritual breach, stating that condoning and being complicit in the slaughter of tens of thousands of people goes against the core of human values.
- Cohen, a critic of Israeli policy, recently joined prominent Jewish figures in an open letter opposing AIPAC (the American Israel Public Affairs Committee). He emphasized that his stance represents the feelings of millions of people who disapprove of the United States' political actions.
- The ongoing conflict between Israel and Gaza, which has escalated since March 2025, has led to a critical humanitarian crisis due to widespread destruction of civilian infrastructure, hospitals, residential buildings, schools, and tents housing displaced people. Doctors in Gaza report running out of medicine for routine conditions, exacerbating the healthcare crisis.
- Critics argue that the international community has turned away from the Gaza crisis, leaving the population in a state where international law is perceived as being suspended, and humanity abandoned. There are fears of further humanitarian deterioration as Israeli leaders have threatened a more intense ground offensive. The critique highlights the need for greater involvement and support for health and wellness initiatives in this region.
