Ben Cohen, co‑founder of Ben & Jerry's ice cream and a longtime progressive activist, told AFP he was speaking for millions of Americans outraged by the "slaughter" in Gaza after his removal from a US  Senate hearing on Wednesday.

Cohen, 74, was among a group of protesters who startled Health Secretary  Robert F Kennedy Jr. by interrupting his testimony about his department's budget proposal.

Shouting that "Congress pays for bombs to kill children in Gaza" while lawmakers move to slash Medicaid -- the health insurance program for low‑income families -- the businessman and philanthropist was placed in handcuffs by Capitol Police.

He urged senators to press Israel to let food reach "starving kids" as he was led........

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