Senator John Fetterman (D-PA) is calling out growing anti-Israel sentiment within his own party, warning that new Democrat candidates are openly running on platforms that make hostility toward America’s closest Middle East ally a central campaign theme.
Appearing on The Story with Martha MacCallum on Fox News Channel Friday, Fetterman did not hold back. He said parts of the Democratic Party are “becoming more and more anti-Israel,” and he finds the trend deeply troubling. The Pennsylvania senator, who has broken ranks with the far-left wing of the party on several issues, expressed frustration over what he sees as empty and performative rhetoric from leftist activists and candidates.
Fetterman specifically pointed to recent demands placed on New York City Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani by the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA), who urged aggressive actions against Israeli leaders. He dismissed their posturing as “absurd and arrogant,” referencing their suggestion that the city “arrest Netanyahu,” Israel’s prime minister. “You have no authority to do that,” Fetterman said. “And the United States is not a part of the ICC [International Criminal Court].”
Such radical activism, he warned, is being normalized within the Democrat ranks. “The new candidates now make it front and center in their campaign to be anti-Israel,” he said. Rather than yielding to that political pressure, Fetterman said it emboldens him to stand even more firmly with the Jewish state.
“That’s a signal to just lean in harder and be very proud to stand with Israel, because that’s our key ally,” Fetterman declared. “I refuse to ever turn our back, regardless if there’s part of my party that’s been willing to do these things.”
Fetterman’s remarks highlight growing internal divisions within the Democratic Party over its position on Israel. As pro-Hamas sentiment becomes increasingly visible among left-wing activists and candidates, more moderate and traditional Democrats are being forced to take a stand. For Fetterman, the choice is clear: loyalty to Israel must not be compromised.
