Sen. John Fetterman (D-PA) strongly criticized the international push to recognize a Palestinian state during an interview aired Tuesday on Newsmax TV, warning that such moves send a dangerous message to Hamas and risk legitimizing its terrorism. Fetterman argued that formal recognition allows Hamas to reframe the October 7 attacks and the ensuing destruction in Gaza as a “worthy” sacrifice in their quest for statehood.
Speaking with host Greta Van Susteren on The Record, Fetterman questioned the logic of rewarding a territory still controlled by a terrorist organization. “What’s the message to Hamas?” he asked. “Now, if Hamas responds and they cheer that, like, what’s wrong with you? If your decisions, now, Hamas is cheering, why can’t you just re-evaluate, like, maybe we’re on the wrong side here?”
Van Susteren responded by pointing out that international recognition provides Hamas with an incentive to entrench itself further, believing that global opinion is turning against Israel. Fetterman agreed, saying the move strengthens Hamas’ propaganda narrative.
“More than what it does for Hamas is, that gives them, like, a narrative,” Fetterman said. “Now, they can claim, well, this is all of the destruction in Gaza and what they’ve been through and those terrible things that we did on 10/7, it’s, now we can all celebrate because now we’ve become our own state.”
The remarks add to Fetterman’s growing reputation as one of the few Democrats consistently pushing back against global efforts to elevate the Palestinian cause while Hamas remains in power. His comments follow similar concerns expressed by Republicans and security experts who argue that recognizing a Palestinian state in the current environment only emboldens extremist groups and rewards violence.
Fetterman’s stance puts him at odds with European governments like Spain, Ireland, and Norway, which have recently announced intentions to recognize Palestinian statehood despite Hamas’ control over Gaza and its ongoing hostility toward Israel. Critics argue these diplomatic moves risk undermining Israel’s security and encouraging future attacks by reinforcing the belief that terrorism produces political victories.
While Fetterman stopped short of opposing a two-state solution in principle, his warning made clear that no statehood should be granted under Hamas rule, and that any recognition now plays directly into the group’s hands.
