Ted Cruz Walks Off Stage After Pro-Israel Speech Draws Boos

Senator Ted Cruz walked off the stage at an event hosted by In Defense of Christians after pro-Israel comments drew boos from many in the audience Wednesday night.

Cruz, a keynote speaker at the group’s summit in Washington D.C., was attempting to deliver a speech about the threat the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant poses to Christians and Jews throughout the Middle East. When Cruz remarked that “Christians have no greater ally than Israel,” many in the crowd began to boo and heckle the Senator.

In a video posted to Breitbart.com, shouts of “stop it” and “enough” can be heard as Cruz addresses the jeering crowd.

“I will say this: I’m saddened to see that some here, not everyone, are so consumed with hate,” he said before leaving the stage. “I will say this: If you will not stand with Israel and the Jews, then I will not stand with you. Thank you, and God bless you."

IDC President Toufic Baaklini has apologized and blames what he says were “politically motivated opportunists” for the incident.

“Tonight’s injection of politics when the focus should have been on unity and faith, momentarily played into the hands of a few who do not adhere to IDC’s principles,” he said in a statement issued Wednesday night. “They were made no longer welcome.”