Watch: Two Reporters Forcibly Removed from Briefing After Interrupting Tony Blinken

Secretary of State Antony Blinken faced interruptions from two journalists during his final news conference on Thursday, as they voiced sharp criticism of his handling of the Israel-Hamas conflict.

Blinken began his remarks shortly after a ceasefire and hostage deal was brokered between the warring parties, expressing gratitude to the media for covering his time as the nation’s chief diplomat.

Max Blumenthal, editor of the blog Grayzone, disrupted Blinken’s opening statement.

“You waved the white flag before Netanyahu,” Blumenthal shouted. “You waved the white flag before Israeli fascists.”

Blinken calmly responded, “I look forward to taking questions when I get a chance to finish my statement,” according to the official State Department transcript.

Blumenthal, however, continued his criticism, shouting, “Your father-in-law is an Israel lobbyist, your grandfather was an Israel lobbyist. Are you compromised by Israel? Why did you allow the Holocaust of our time to happen?” Security officers then escorted him out of the room.

Resuming his speech, Blinken praised the ceasefire agreement as a significant step forward, saying it would “bring hostages home, stop the fighting, surge humanitarian aid to people who so desperately need it, and create the space to conclude a permanent ceasefire.”

However, another interruption came from independent journalist Sam Husseini, who accused Blinken of being a “criminal.” As security personnel carried him out of the room, Husseini repeatedly asked, “Why aren’t you in The Hague? Why aren’t you in The Hague?”

The ceasefire deal is being seen as a major foreign policy achievement for the Biden administration in its final months. Vice President Kamala Harris credited the agreement to the efforts of President Joe Biden.

“President Biden and I have no higher priority than the safety of Americans, and we are determined that all American hostages be returned home as part of this deal,” Harris stated earlier this week.

Yet, reports suggest that Steve Witkoff, the Middle East envoy appointed by President-elect Donald Trump for his upcoming administration, played a pivotal role in securing the agreement.

According to The Times of Israel, Witkoff achieved more in one meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu than Biden’s staff managed over the past year, as claimed by some Arab leaders.

Trump himself emphasized his influence over the ceasefire, stating that his election was the catalyst for the agreement.

“It signaled to the entire World that my Administration would seek Peace and negotiate deals to ensure the safety of all Americans, and our Allies,” Trump wrote on Truth Social.

He further declared, “We have achieved so much without even being in the White House. Just imagine all the wonderful things that will happen when I return to the White House, and my Administration is fully confirmed, so they can secure more Victories for the United States!”