Anti-Israel protests have become a common feature over the past several years, with some of those events degenerating into violence.

An example of that phenomenon came this week when a GOP member of Congress was assaulted on Capitol Hill. 

Burchett confronted

That's according to The Hill, which reported that Tennessee Republican Rep. Tim Burchett was confronted outside of the Longworth House Office Building on Thursday.

The individual who approached Burchett is said to have taken issue with the congressman's stance regarding Israel's military operations in Gaza.

At some point during their encounter, the figure is said to have bumped the lawmaker, prompting him to deliver a shove in response.

Will Garrett serves as a spokesperson for Burchett, and he told The Hill, "Everyone has a right to their opinion, and they can say all of the filthy stuff they want. But they don’t have the right to bump the congressman."

Politico reported that U.S. Capitol Police questioned the protester involved. It also pointed out how this was not the first physical altercation which Burchett has gotten into since coming to the nation's capital.

Prior brush with McCarthy recalled

NPR reported in 2023 that he experienced a similar incident with former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, whom Burchett had voted to remove from office.

Reporter Claudia Grisales recounted in a social media thread how McCarthy "shoved" Burchett during an interview, causing the Tennessee congressman to give chase.

Have NEVER seen this on Capitol Hill:

While talking to @RepTimBurchett after the GOP conference meeting, former @SpeakerMcCarthy walked by with his detail and McCarthy shoved Burchett. Burchett lunged towards me. I thought it was a joke, it was not. And a chase ensued...

— Claudia Grisales (on Bsky & Threads) (@cgrisales) November 14, 2023

"Why'd you elbow me in the back Kevin?!" Grisales quoted McCarthy as yelling at McCarthy. "Hey Kevin, you got any guts!?"

Lawmaker a well-known pro-Israel voice

For his part, Burchett has long been known as a vocal defender of Israel and introduced a resolution last year that objected to the United Nations' condemnation of the Jewish state.

“Israel is our greatest ally in the Middle East and their leadership tries to protect life. Hamas, on the other hand, hides behind innocent civilians like a bunch of cowards," The Hill quoted him as saying at the time.

"We need to make it clear to the United Nations that the United States completely supports Israel’s efforts to wipe these terrorists off the map," Burchett added.