‘The blood of Palestinian children is on your hands!’ Heckler interrupts von der Leyen
A speech by Ursula von der Leyen was briefly interrupted on Wednesday by a person who accused her of being a “felony” over her help for Israel.
The European Fee President was about to ship a speech on the European Defence and Safety Summit when she was abruptly interrupted by a person who stood up and directed accusations at her.
“Mrs von der Leyen, it is a citizen’s arrest! You’re charged with aiding genocide in Gaza!” the person is heard saying.
“You could have expressed whole help for Israel in the beginning of this genocide! The blood of Palestinian kids is in your palms!”
At that second, one other individual approached the person, who continued shouting whereas he was faraway from the room.
“You’re a felony, Mrs von der Leyen! Try to be on the Hague! You shouldn’t be right here. You shouldn’t be searching for a second time period! You’re warfare — you’re a felony!”
“Free Palestine! Free Palestine!” he added, as his voice pale away.
Von der Leyen, who stood nonetheless and confirmed no response through the surprising incidence, then started her intervention by thanking her hosts for the invitation.
“Girls and gents, it is a pleasure to be right here,” she mentioned.
The President proceeded to ship a wide-ranging speech in regards to the want for Europe to strengthen its safety and defence on account of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
For the reason that seventh October assaults launched by Hamas towards Israel, von der Leyen has emerged as one in all Europe’s staunchest advocates of the Jewish nation, a help she underscored in a closely-watched go to to Jerusalem within the instant aftermath.
Nevertheless, her help rapidly backfired because the demise toll within the Gaza Strip attributable to the Israeli offensive started mounting and the devastation was a humanitarian disaster.
Though she by no means backtracked on her stance, von der Leyen step by step tailored her narrative to place herself as a number one actor within the provision of emergency assist to Gaza, travelling to Cyprus final month to announce a maritime hall.