This is an entry from: Live: At least 137 people killed by Israel recovered from rubble in Rafah
Journalist accuses US of censorship after being ejected from Blinken briefing
17 January 2025 07:52 GMT
A journalist removed from a press conference with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has accused the State Department of silencing him for raising uncomfortable questions about Gaza.
- Sam Husseini said he was deliberately shut down while trying to challenge US policy on the war in Gaza.
- He said State Department officials worked to prevent him from pressing Blinken on Washington’s refusal to acknowledge that the Geneva Conventions apply to Palestinians.
- “I didn’t plan to be dragged out. I just wanted to ask urgent, pointed questions,” Husseini said.
- Speaking to US comedian and writer Katie Halper, he called the US stance on international law in Gaza “utterly scandalous.”
His removal has fuelled criticism of the Biden administration’s handling of the war, with accusations that Washington is shielding Israel from accountability.
I was seriously manhandled but I'm back home... thanks for all support folks.
— Sam Husseini (@samhusseini) January 16, 2025
My intention was to ask tough questions at every opportunity during the news conference which State personnel obviously cut short:
* Was the point of the May 31 announcement to block implementation of… https://t.co/1VcopsaYDg