What's happened
Ben Cohen, co-founder of Ben & Jerry's, was arrested during a Senate hearing on May 15, 2025, while protesting U.S. military aid to Israel amid the Gaza conflict. He accused Congress of funding bombs that kill children in Gaza while cutting Medicaid for poor kids in the U.S. Cohen faces misdemeanor charges.
What's behind the headline?
Context of the Protest
- Cohen's actions reflect a growing discontent among activists regarding U.S. foreign policy, particularly in relation to Israel and Palestine.
- The Gaza blockade has led to severe humanitarian issues, with reports indicating critical food shortages and a risk of famine.
Political Implications
- The protest highlights the intersection of domestic and foreign policy, as Cohen linked cuts to Medicaid with military spending.
- This incident may influence public opinion on U.S. military aid and healthcare policies, especially as the 2026 budget is debated.
Future Outlook
- Cohen's arrest could galvanize further protests and discussions around U.S. foreign aid and its implications for domestic welfare programs.
- The ongoing conflict in Gaza and the U.S. response will likely remain a contentious issue in political discourse leading up to the next election cycle.
What the papers say
According to The Guardian, Cohen was charged with 'crowding and obstructing' after he shouted, 'Congress kills poor kids in Gaza by buying bombs.' This sentiment was echoed in reports from The Independent, which noted that Cohen's protest was part of a larger critique of U.S. military aid to Israel. Business Insider UK highlighted Cohen's assertion that Congress is 'using the money they save' from Medicaid cuts to fund military actions abroad. The New Arab emphasized Cohen's long-standing activism against Israeli policies, framing his protest as a significant moment in the ongoing debate over U.S. foreign policy. Each source presents a slightly different angle on the protest, but they all converge on the central theme of the moral implications of U.S. military aid.
How we got here
The protest occurred during a Senate Health Committee hearing led by Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Cohen, a long-time activist, has been vocal against U.S. support for Israel's military actions in Gaza, particularly in light of the ongoing humanitarian crisis.
Go deeper
- What were the specific charges against Ben Cohen?
- How has the public reacted to Cohen's protest?
- What are the implications of U.S. military aid to Israel?
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How Did Ben Cohen's Protest Impact the Senate Hearing?
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What are the latest political protests and arrests making headlines?
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More on these topics
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Robert Francis Kennedy Jr. (born January 17, 1954), also known by his initials RFK Jr., is an American politician, environmental lawyer, author, conspiracy theorist, and anti-vaccine activist serving since 2025 as the 26th United States secretary of healt
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Ben Cohen may refer to:
Ben Cohen (bridge) (1907–1971), English bridge player and author
Ben Cohen (businessman) (born 1951), American businessman, co-founder of Ben & Jerry's
Ben Cohen (rugby union) (born 1978), English LGBT activist and ex-rugby unio
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The United States of America, commonly known as the United States or America, is a country mostly located in central North America, between Canada and Mexico.
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Israel, formally known as the State of Israel, is a country in Western Asia, located on the southeastern shore of the Mediterranean Sea and the northern shore of the Red Sea.
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Medicaid in the United States is a federal and state program that helps with medical costs for some people with limited income and resources.
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Gaza most commonly refers to:
Gaza Strip, a Palestinian territory on the eastern coast of the Mediterranean Sea
Gaza City, a city in the Gaza Strip
Gaza may also refer to:
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Hamas is a Palestinian Sunni-Islamic fundamentalist militant organization. It has a social service wing, Dawah, and a military wing, the Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades.