Sen. John Fetterman (D-Pennsylvania), during his first visit to Israel, told reporters in Jerusalem that those on the political left who condone or embrace anti-Semitism should be held accountable.
“It’s hard to believe now, [Zionism] “It’s become an insult in certain circles,” Fetterman said. “They’ve started saying, ‘You’re a Zionist,’ or whatever. It’s crazy.”
He was seated in a separate room at Jerusalem’s King David Hotel, wearing his iconic white hooded sweatshirt and shorts.
The tall, balding politician with a small gray beard is an avowed supporter of Israel, a support that has only strengthened following the events of October 7.
“Left-wing politics has anti-Semitism and [how] “Since Oct. 7, we’ve seen certain factions respond by putting up tents on campuses and blocking members of the Los Angeles congregation from entering the synagogue. This is extremely important, but not many people are actually asking about it,” he said.
He also dismissed as absurd the charges of genocide levelled against Israel in the war in Gaza, pointing out that if these were true, the IDF would not have allowed more than one million people to flee Rafah ahead of its military operation there.
“How can a country that is engaged in genocide allow its supposed victims to leave the battlefield so they can avoid being harmed?”
“People are saying this is genocide. It’s horrible,” he said.
Make no apologies for supporting Israel
Fetterman noted that U.S. President Joe Biden has publicly described himself as a Zionist and supporter of Israel.
“Even if I disagree with Joe Biden, I believe he is a strong and staunch ally of Israel,” and those differences “in no way diminish my support for him.”
Fetterman said he also supports Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as the democratically elected leader of the State of Israel. He supported Netanyahu’s plan to address a joint session of Congress on July 24, noting that it is important for U.S. politicians and the American people to hear what he has to say.
“I think the prime minister is entitled to that opportunity,” he said.
“We just put billions of dollars into military aid to Israel,” Fetterman said, adding that the country’s leaders “should be listened to,” and that Congress has a responsibility to do so.
Fetterman questioned why some members of the House and Senate plan to boycott the event.
“I don’t understand how it serves any purpose other than supporting Hamas,” he said. “Sometimes you hear things you don’t agree with, and I don’t think there’s any need to be so weak-willed or offended.”
Fetterman said he plans to attend, adding, “I hope everyone will be there.”
His arrival in Israel comes at a time of ongoing tension between Israel and the Biden administration over practical differences on how to handle the Gaza war, even though the two governments agree that Hamas must not be allowed to continue to control the Gaza Strip.
These tensions are similar to the conflicts you might see within a close family, Fetterman said. “But [Israel is] Our dear ally and how America supports Israel.”
Fetterman said he supports Netanyahu’s position that the war cannot end until Hamas is expelled from Gaza.
“I can never support Israel being forced into an artificial permanent ceasefire with such an enemy,” Fetterman stressed.
“We have an obligation to help rebuild Gaza and improve the quality of life for Palestinians. But it is naive to think that this is possible as long as Hamas is in the Gaza Strip,” he said.
He said all funds sent to rebuild the Gaza Strip would go to Hamas and help rebuild its military forces.
Looking to the future, Fetterman said he supports a two-state solution to the conflict, but understands that is not possible at this time, given the Gaza war.
He said it was surprising that European countries such as Ireland, Spain and Norway had unilaterally recognised Palestine as a state in the midst of the Gaza war.
“Why give such rewards to Hamas when Israeli citizens are still being held hostage? In the middle of a war? What’s going on?” he asked.
“I want peace, and no one wants that more than Israel and the Israeli people,” Fetterman said.
“If anyone thinks that Israel is part of the problem in the Middle East, they are very mistaken,” he added.
He questioned why there was not more “moral indignation” over the atrocities of the October 7 Israeli attack that killed more than 1,200 people and kidnapped 251 hostages, 120 of whom still remain in Gaza.
Looking at his wrist, he said he was wearing the ring in memory of the Hamas victims who attended the Nova festival on October 7, and explained that he intended to keep wearing it until all the hostages were returned.
Fetterman said he was humbled by the outpouring of gratitude for his visit to Israel.
“I’m here to have a dialogue with the people who come here as a small voice and a small part of the situation,” he said. “I didn’t expect my voice to resonate. I wanted to be at least a consistent voice, with the kind of clarity that’s always been part of my perspective from the beginning. I still don’t know how or why it was important, if it was important, but that’s why I wanted to come here and visit.”
