Senator John Fetterman (D-PA) has been something of a pleasant surprise, especially in his unwavering support for Israel following the October 7 attack by Hamas on our Middle Eastern ally. Such shots of the senator, who frequently posts memes and GIFs, are usually met with harsh reactions on social media, with supporters of such shots emphasizing how “stubborn” he is. Perhaps those who will suffer the most are those in his own party, but those to the left of Fetterman.
Fetterman quickly posted his support for Israel on the morning of October 7. Since then, he has been trolling pro-Hamas people and narratives, including when he walked past pro-Hamas agitators at the Capitol a month after the attack when he hysterically demanded a ceasefire. When demonstrators marched in front of his house in January, he held an Israeli flag, just as he did in November.
He also passionately expresses respect for his views on this issue, even if radical pro-Hamas destroyers believe that this is too much to ask when they make all kinds of accusations against Israel and our ally’s supporters.
In Bernie Sanders’ world, be like John Fetterman. 👏🇮🇱🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/91M8Sgo9PQ
— Charles Weber (@CWBOCA) March 3, 2024
In January, Fetterman also called on South Africa to bring a genocide case against Israel before the International Court of Justice (IJC), reminding them that they should “wait this case out”, especially as they themselves face charges of genocide against white farmers.
Fetterman’s office also displayed posters depicting some 240 hostages Hamas had taken, calling for their release. A November 7 post shared on his official account calling for the release of the hostages remains his pinned post.
I put up posters in my office depicting innocent Israelis kidnapped by Hamas.
They will remain on their feet until each person returns home safely. pic.twitter.com/qxCmvC97uY
— Senator John Fetterman (@SenFettermanPA) November 7, 2023
Republicans even mentioned Fetterman’s support for Israel in the context of the US Senate elections taking place in November. While Fetterman recently won the seat in the 2022 election, vulnerable incumbent Democrat Bob Casey Jr. is a candidate for re-election, although he is less vocal in his support. This is especially true of Casey’s support for Rep. Summer Lee (D-PA), a member of the anti-Semitic and anti-Israel unit.
This time the battlefield was almost clear for Dave McCormick to challenge Casey. In 2022, McCormick ran in a crowded GOP primary for an open seat in Pennsylvania, but narrowly lost to GOP candidate Dr. Mehmet Oz. MCormick closely follows Casey’s handling of the conflict, noting, among other things, how Fetterman called out squad members who “rushed to blame Israel for the Gaza hospital tragedy” before Casey did.
I thank Senator Fetterman for his leadership on this issue.
It’s a pity that Pennsylvania’s other senator remains quiet and does not criticize his own party. https://t.co/Na0hU7UAna
— Dave McCormick (@DaveMcCormickPA) October 19, 2023
21:16 EST @DaveMcCormickPA notes Casey’s lack of leadership on this issue.
Less than an hour later… pic.twitter.com/qFM8zT0YWt
— Guy Benson (@guypbenson) October 19, 2023
A bit of Fetterman newer posts about the conflict, recalling that Hamas is to blame. This includes a March 3 pinned post shared on his political account.
In addition to calling Hamas “a curse of peace for Gaza” and recalling that the terrorist group “inciteed and owns this humanitarian catastrophe,” Fetterman also added further posts to the thread. As one of the “demands[s]”, in his opinion it should be so, Fetterman also maintains the Israeli thesis, which is: “demand the elimination of Hamas or permanent exile.”
Fetterman also delivered a message about the anti-Israel narrative that they were responsible for a rocket hitting the hospital in late October last year, when in fact it was a terrorist rocket. Such a lie has even been spread by members of Congress, including Democrat Fetterman, Republican Rashida Tlaib of Michigan’s 12th Congressional District and another member of the chapter who was censured last November.
At any time, Hamas could have ended this growing tragedy by surrendering and releasing all hostages.
Now they do not want to provide a list of surviving hostages.
Hamas is the curse of peace for Gaza.
Hamas initiated and owns this humanitarian disaster. pic.twitter.com/lpVAuYwm42
— John Fetterman (@JohnFetterman) March 3, 2024
I will always take our ally’s word for the group of cowards who have been hiding in tunnels behind civilians since October 7 and holding children, women and the elderly hostage.
Then they blamed Israel for hitting the hospital with a rocket; it was proven that he was a Hamas ally. pic.twitter.com/nQuI5P0wsk
— John Fetterman (@JohnFetterman) March 4, 2024
While many have taken to thanking Fetterman, there are those who called him “disappointment”, while a report titled “ warcrimewatch ” exposed his anti-Israel stance calling for Fetterman for the courage to speak the truth.
Speaking of other Democrats, especially Tlaib, Fetterman also has a message for them when it comes to voting “uncommitted” for President Joe Biden, as more than 101,000 people did during Michigan’s Democratic primary last week. Muslim and Arab-American voters who support such efforts were not very pleased that the support Biden has shown for Israel is not enough support for Gaza. Those who support such efforts also make pro-Hamas statements, such as demanding a ceasefire.
Fetterman’s meme about the Democratic Socialists of America supporting the “non-aligned” movement did not go down well with far-leftist Nina Turner, a former Ohio state senator who has repeatedly failed to run for Congress.
Posting about voters that Democrats will have to defeat Trump in November with the same contempt you have for Dr. Oz is not good for Biden. It’s a pity it has to be said.
— Nina Turner (@ninaturner) March 4, 2024
Another post pointed out that “disengaged” voters actually assist re-elect former and potentially future President Donald Trump. RealClearPolling currently showing Trump has a +3.6 lead over Biden in this key battleground state.
To all purists – 2016, how did it turn out in your case?
— John Fetterman (@JohnFetterman) March 2, 2024
Anyone hoping that Fetterman would suddenly become a Republican might want to think again. There have been problems with the Biden administration and its support for Israel, especially as it intends to not only meet with these angry activists in Michigan and other states but also take their demands seriously. Nevertheless, support for Israel remains a bipartisan issue, even if it actually throws Democrats into serious chaos.
For all his genuine support for Israel, it’s also worth recalling that Fetterman also joined his 50 fellow Democratic senators in voting against a stand-alone aid bill for Israel last November. Such a bill has also previously passed the House.
Perhaps the biggest sign that Fetterman is a committed Democrat is his appearance last month on MSNBC’s “Morning Joe.” Talking about how he thinks Biden will win Pennsylvania, even though it may be “tough,” Fetterman said Democrats need to unite to support Biden. “I don’t understand why,” he said, lamenting that Democrats are publicly complaining about Biden. “I don’t know what’s in store for you, if you’re just chasing power, or if you want it to be in the news, or something like that. But if you don’t want to just support the president right now, and you’re saying things like that, you might as well just take your MAGA hat, because you’re helping Trump do that now.”
While sharing the clip, Fetterman even joked about speculation that he was using a “double.”
what the body double said https://t.co/cCKlCofunv
— John Fetterman (@JohnFetterman) February 22, 2024
It’s not just his support for Israel — which is seen as one of the more bipartisan issues we have left — that Fetterman has something in common with Republicans. Last December, he explained that he was “not a progressive” in an interview with NBC News in which he also expressed concern about the influx of illegal immigrants crossing the southern border. He too Harvard called repeatedly in recent months for not also supporting Israel more.
More recently on immigration, Fetterman even signaled support for H.R. 2, the border security bill that passed the Republican-controlled House of Representatives last May. Senator Mike Lee (R-UT) was excited and hopeful enough to offer to shave his head “in solidarity.”
If @JohnFetterman will help us get HR 2 across the finish line and achieve true border security, in solidarity I will shave my head again.
Heck, he can even hold clippers. https://t.co/heD6FLsZew
— Mike Lee (@SenMikeLee) March 1, 2024
Fetterman also called “restraint” over the “recreational cruelty” of those pursuing Rep. Lauren Boebert (R-CO) and her family made the news and sparked discussion on social media following the arrest of her 18-year-old son.
But again, Fetterman remains a Democrat, albeit a common-sense and decent one who can lend support on bipartisan issues.
This is a family in crisis and the recreational cruelty I see on social media must be banned.
I know the effect it has on children. I call for restraint because cruelty causes significant collateral damage.
We can’t forget that they didn’t sign up for this. https://t.co/SAbFMYsOCk
— John Fetterman (@JohnFetterman) February 28, 2024
