Arizona Democratic Party office opening disrupted by pro-Palestinian protesters

TUCSON, Ariz. — An Arizona Democratic field office opening celebration Friday afternoon featuring high-profile politicians was interrupted by pro-Palestinian protesters — four separate times.

The third and fourth disruptions occurred while Rep. Ruben Gallego, a Democratic Senate hopeful, was speaking on stage. The fourth protester got inches away from the congressman, pointing her finger at him and yelling, “You take money from AIPAC.”

The protester then appeared to fall into a staffer after receiving a push from a woman in the front row, and then was forcibly removed from the venue.

After the commotion died down, Gallego offered an apology.

“We have a job here to do,” said the congressman. “Let’s remember: As Democrats, we do have a big tent. And we all want a great solution, and a solution for the Middle East,” said Gallego, a Marine veteran who deployed to Iraq.

“I’m sorry we’re not there. But you have the party that’s actually looking for something,” he said.

Kirsten Engel, a former state representative running for Congress in Arizona, and Tiffany Muller, president of End Citizens United, were also interrupted by pro-Palestinian protesters. Sen. Mark Kelly, D-Ariz., and former Rep. Gabby Giffords also delivered remarks, but their speeches were not interrupted.

All of the disruptions were drowned out by chants of “four more years” as about 200 Arizonans packed the Democratic field office to celebrate its opening.

Ori Green, 52, an Israeli-American demonstrator at the event, told NBC News that protest was the only way she could feel heard.

“I’ve been making phone calls to Kelly’s office and Gallego’s office every single day for months and months and months, begging them to speak up for a permanent cease-fire,”