Rep. Wesley Bell, a moderate House Democrat from Missouri, encountered a chaotic and heated town hall meeting on Tuesday night as pro-Palestinian activists challenged his stance on Israel and Hamas. The event, which was intended as a dialogue, quickly devolved into a confrontation as demonstrators accused Bell of supporting genocide and labeling him a war criminal. Despite his attempts to maintain order and focus the conversation on local issues, the protests continued to dominate the proceedings.
Bell, who defeated far-left ‘Squad’ member Cori Bush in the Democratic primary last year, repeatedly urged protesters to allow him to speak while defending his position on Israel and Hamas. He emphasized the importance of maintaining democracy amid the chaos, stating, ‘While we’re sitting here being divided and fighting one another, we’ve got other folks out there who are taking our democracy from us.’ However, the crowd’s response was largely dismissive, with jeers and boos echoing through the room.
During the meeting, Bell addressed the accusations by asserting that Hamas’ initial attack on Israel was an invasion, not just a terror attack. He also defended the need for a surge in aid to Gaza, though his calls were drowned out by ongoing protests. The event reached a fever pitch as the hour went on, with Bell challenging a questioner who labeled Israel’s invasion of Gaza as ‘genocide.’ The activist’s response, ‘You don’t get to set the genocide definition,’ sparked further tension.
Throughout the meeting, there were moments of support for Bell, particularly when he shifted the focus to local issues such as gun violence in St. Louis. However, the overall atmosphere remained tense, with protesters and supporters often clashing. A woman attempted to confront the demonstrators directly, warning them about their privilege and urging them to consider the work being done. Despite the moderator’s efforts to deescalate the situation, the town hall ended with Bell expressing gratitude for the attendees, stating, ‘Democracy is messy and we have to passionately defend it.’