US Army veteran disrupts Senate hearing to protest American support for Israel

A US Army veteran interrupted a Senate hearing on Tuesday, condemning Washington’s continued support for Israel as Palestinians face ongoing killings at the hands of Israeli forces backed by American weapons and diplomatic cover.

Lieutenant Colonel Anthony Aguilar, a former Green Beret who previously served at a humanitarian foundation site in Gaza, spoke out against what he described as US complicity in “genocide.”

Aguilar, who had personally witnessed Israeli violence against Palestinians during his time in the enclave, told lawmakers it was his constitutional duty to raise his voice.

“I swore an oath to defend the Constitution against enemies foreign and domestic. Right now, this body is funding genocide,” Aguilar declared before being escorted out by security.

Joining him in protest was Captain Josephine Guilbeau, a former US intelligence officer, who also denounced Washington’s role in the Israeli military campaign.

The disruption occurred during a Senate Foreign Relations Committee confirmation hearing in Washington, DC. Video footage of the protest quickly circulated on social media, drawing attention to the rare act of defiance by former military officials.

US guards at Gaza aid sites deliberately fire at Palestinians seeking food: report

Aguilar has since shared further testimony in interviews, recalling how Israeli forces repeatedly targeted civilians and children seeking food at aid distribution sites in Gaza.

Humanitarian groups have called for the closure of such sites due to what they describe as grave human rights abuses.

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US Army veteran Anthony Aguilar and former US intelligence officer Josie Guilbeau interrupted a Senate confirmation hearing in Washington, DC, denouncing the genocide in Gaza and declaring their constitutional duty before being escorted out by Capitol Police. pic.twitter.com/SUgwoGCxoM

— Mohammad Quraishi (Till last breath with IK) (@abidiffat2001) September 4, 2025