IMPATIENT REPORT NOT WAITING FOR Q&A
As Blinken was talking about the hostages, and other U.S. citizens “who are held wrongfully or hostage in countries around the world,” Husseini began shouting questions as a State Department official scolded him to “respect,” “let him speak,” and wait to ask his questions. Like with Blumenthal moments before, Blinken said several times he would answer questions at the end of his remarks but Husseini was undeterred.
“Instead of making a speech every day –” said Husseini.
“Sir, would you like to be escorted out?” said the official.
“Go away,” Husseini replied.
“You don’t have the responsibility to tell me where to go,” she retorted. “Do you want to be escorted out or not?”
“Thank you. I look forward to answering questions in a minute. Thank you,” said Blinken.
“I’m not a potted plant,” said Husseini.
“Everyone will have an opportunity to ask a question in just a minute. Thank you,” said Blinken, attempting to get back to his remarks when shouts rang out from Husseini.
“Get your hands off me! Get your hands off me! Get your hands off me! Answer a damn question!” yelled Husseini.
“I was sitting here quietly, and now I’m being manhandled by two or three people!” Husseini continued yelling as security officials pulled him up from his seat. “You pontificate about a free press. You pontificate about a free press. You’re hurting me! You are hurting me! You are hurting me! I am asking questions, after being told by Matt Miller that he will not answer my questions until I’m –”
“Please, sir, respect the respect the process,” Blinken said calmly. “We’ll have an opportunity to take questions in a few minutes.”
“Wasn’t the point of the the May 31st statement to block the ICJ orders? You blocked the ICJ orders. You –” called out Husseini.
“Please, sir, respect the process. Thank you,” Blinken repeated.
“Oh, respect the process? Respect the process,” yelled Husseini as he was being carried from the room. “While everybody, everybody from the — from Amnesty International, from Amnesty International to the ICJ saying that Israel is doing genocide and extermination, and you’re telling me to respect the process?”
“Criminal!” yelled Husseini. “Why aren’t you in The Hague? Why aren’t you in The Hague? Why aren’t you in the Hague?”