Pelosi appearance on Stephen Colbert interrupted by anti-Israel protesters

Anti-Israel protesters interrupted former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s (D-CA) appearance on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert during a discussion on the hostage situation between Israel and Hamas.

Pelosi appeared on the show Tuesday night to promote her new book, The Art of Power, during which she recounted how she watched President John F. Kennedy’s inauguration speech in 1961. In this speech, Kennedy said that nations ought to ask the United States what they can do to achieve the “freedom of mankind,” with Pelosi arguing this is what President Joe Biden has sought to achieve with countries like Israel.

“And right now, we just got word earlier today that Israel had agreed to the ceasefire agreement. We’re hoping that Hamas will, too,” Pelosi said. “But it takes me to the point of saying to you: War has no role in a civilized society.”

While Pelosi’s remark on war drew applause from the audience, shouting from protesters could be heard once the applause ended, with the show’s broadcast cutting its audio at parts. Colbert contended that Pelosi’s comment was “unsatisfying” to those who oppose Israel, offering the former speaker a chance to respond to the protesters while asking the protesters to allow Pelosi to finish her remarks.

This shouting appeared again toward the end of Pelosi’s discussion, prompting Colbert to respond and say, “Please don’t interrupt my guest.” Colbert also revealed that a protester had interrupted the show before cutting to a commercial break.

As of Wednesday afternoon, neither Pelosi nor Colbert has referenced the interruptions on social media.

The conflict with Gaza is expected to be a major issue both political parties will have to contend with in trying to win voters in November, with Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) saying during his Democratic National Convention speech this week that “we must end this horrific war in Gaza.” Sanders previously argued that the Gaza conflict could become Biden’s Vietnam.

The DNC has had to deal with anti-Israel protesters, which is being held in Chicago, throughout the week. Multiple protesters were arrested on Monday after deviating from a city-approved parade route and breaking down the first layer of security fencing, though the city has denied that an “operational failure” allowed these protesters to breach DNC security.