Watch: Trump’s Quip Draws Laughter in Knesset – and Outrage from Democrats After Security Removes Leftist Disrupters

by

President Donald Trump drew laughter and applause in the Knesset on Monday when he praised Israeli security personnel for swiftly handling two hecklers who attempted to disrupt his address — a moment that left Democrats back home fuming.

The lighthearted remark, delivered after security intervened, is certain to agitate Trump’s critics, who for years have painted him as an authoritarian. Yet in Israel’s parliament, the exchange played more like a well-timed piece of political theater, one that underscored Trump’s characteristic mix of confidence and humor.

The incident unfolded as Trump was commending special envoy Steve Witkoff for his role in negotiating the release of the final 20 Israeli hostages still alive. Midway through his remarks, two far-left members of the Knesset interrupted him.

According to The Hill, “Those protesting were Ayman Odeh, an Arab Israeli and member of the Hadash Alliance, and Ofer Cassif, a far-left politician who is the only Jewish member of the Hadash coalition. Odeh, the head of the Hadash party, held up a sign that said ‘Recognize Palestine’ when he was ejected from the room.”

As security officers promptly escorted the pair out, Trump paused, smiled, and praised their quick action — a moment that drew laughter and applause from the chamber.

For his audience in Jerusalem, it was a brief disruption turned into levity. For Democrats in Washington, it was another reminder of why Trump’s spontaneous instincts — particularly on matters of order and authority — continue to unnerve them.

Cassif was the first to shout during Trump’s address, prompting Knesset Speaker Amir Ohana to direct security: “Remove this Knesset member. Please expel this Knesset member.”

After both Cassif and Odeh were escorted from the chamber, Ohana turned to Trump: “Sorry for that, Mr. President.”

“That was very efficient,” Trump quipped, drawing laughter and applause from the assembly. He quickly returned to his remarks, praising special envoy Steve Witkoff’s role in securing the Gaza peace agreement: “So back to Steve. Steve started this all by himself. I call him Henry Kissinger, who doesn’t leak … Steve doesn’t leak.”

On Saturday, when reporters asked him about his role in negotiating the Gaza deal, Witkoff described the experience as “the moment of my life — a blessing in my life — and I couldn’t be more thrilled to work for the greatest president out there, Donald J. Trump. He brought them home.”

According to a translation, Cassif posted on X after he and Odeh were expelled from Trump’s Knesset speech: “We didn’t come to disturb, but to demand justice. True peace that will save both peoples of this land from destruction will only come with the end of the occupation and apartheid and the establishment of a Palestinian state alongside Israel. Refuse to be occupiers! Resist the government of bloodshed!”

During an address to the United Nations General Assembly last month, Trump criticized world leaders advocating for a Palestinian state in the aftermath of the Oct. 7, 2023, attacks.

“The rewards would be too great for Hamas terrorists for their atrocities,” he said. His 20-point plan proposes a local Palestinian transitional government overseen by a “Board of Peace,” with Trump himself as chair and former British Prime Minister Tony Blair as a member. An International Stabilization Force would be deployed to maintain security and ensure Hamas is disarmed.

Even with such a landmark Middle East peace agreement, prominent Democrats — including Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson, and governors of states like Oregon and Illinois — continue to label Trump a dictator, while promoting resistance to efforts aimed at enforcing immigration laws.

Trump’s recent quip about the swift removal of disruptors from the Knesset is likely to become another talking point for his critics. Yet, despite the Democrats’ alarmist rhetoric, the First Amendment remains intact in the United States. When protests cross the line into violence and impede federal officers from performing their lawful duties in cities such as Portland and Chicago, Trump’s stance on the efficient removal of disruptors underscores a key point: law and order, not disorder, must prevail.

Leave a Comment