Ben Cohen, co-founder of Ben & Jerry’s ice cream and a prominent progressive activist, was asked to leave a Senate hearing on Wednesday when he confronted Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. along with other lawmakers regarding U.S. backing of Israel’s military operations in Gaza.

When Kennedy was delivering pre-prepared statements regarding his division’s budget for 2026, protesters disrupted the meeting, shouting “RFK murders individuals suffering from AIDS.”

Kennedy leaped up from his chair due to the eruption.

Cohen then shouted: “Congress pays for bombs to kill children in Gaza,” accusing lawmakers of funding arms by cutting Medicaid, the government health insurance program for low-income families that Republicans are seeking to slash.

A video shared by the anti-war organization CodePink depicted the 74-year-old being detained with handcuffs as he was removed from the chamber by Capitol Police officers.

“They must allow food into Gaza; they need to provide sustenance for the starving children!” Cohen shouted as he was being led away.

A outspoken opponent of Israeli policies, Cohen signed an open letter last year called “A Statement From Jewish Americans Opposing AIPAC,” criticizing the pro-Israel lobbying group’s impact on U.S. politics.

ia/jbr