Sen. John Fetterman (D-PA) has turned out to be something of a pleasant surprise, especially to when it comes to his unwavering support for Israel following the October 7 attack that Hamas perpetrated against our ally in the Middle East. Such takes from the senator, who often posts memes and GIFs, tend to draw strong reactions over social media, with those in support of such takes pointing out how "based" he is. Hit hardest are perhaps those in his own party, but to the left of Fetterman.
I forcefully condemn these cowardly, horrifying, unprovoked attacks on Israel by Hamas.
— Senator John Fetterman (@SenFettermanPA) October 7, 2023
Attacking innocent civilians is particularly despicable and reflects the craven behavior of this terrorist group.
I unequivocally stand with the people of Israel now, and always.
Fetterman was quick to post his support for Israel on the morning of October 7. Ever since then, he's been trolling pro-Hamas individuals and narratives, including when he walked past pro-Hamas agitators by the Capitol a month after the attack as they hysterically demanded a ceasefire. When demonstrators came by his home in January, he held up an Israeli flag, just as he did in November.
He also feel passionately about respect for his views on the issue, even if radical pro-Hamas disruptors think that's too much to ask for as they levy all sorts of charges against Israel and our ally's supporters.
In a world of Bernie Sanders’ be like John Fetterman. 👏🇮🇱🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/91M8Sgo9PQ
— Charles Weber (@CWBOCA) March 3, 2024
In January, Fetterman also called out South Africa for bringing a case of genocide against Israel before the International Court of Justice (IJC), reminding them that they should "sit this one out," especially as they themselves are facing accusations of genocide against white farmers.
Fetterman's office has also displayed posters of the approximately 240 hostages that Hamas has taken as he calls for their release. A post from November 7 shared to his official account about calling for the release of hostages is still his pinned post.
In my front office I have displayed the posters of the innocent Israelis kidnapped by Hamas.
— Senator John Fetterman (@SenFettermanPA) November 7, 2023
They will stay up until every single person is safely returned home. pic.twitter.com/qxCmvC97uY
Fetterman's support for Israel has even been referenced in context of the U.S. Senate election taking place in November, by Republicans. While Fetterman just recently won his seat in the 2022 elections, vulnerable Democratic incumbent Bob Casey, Jr. is up for reelection, though he's been less vocal with his support. That especially comes to Casey's support for Rep. Summer Lee (D-PA), a member of the antisemitic and anti-Israel Squad.
The field has been pretty much cleared for Dave McCormick to challenge Casey this time. McCormick ran in a crowded Republican primary in 2022 for what was then Pennsylvania's open seat, but lost narrowly to the Republican nominee, Dr. Mehmet Oz. MCormick has been keeping a close eye on how Casey handles the conflict, and that includes noting how Fetterman called out Squad members who "rushed to blame Israel for the hospital tragedy in Gaza" before Casey did.
Thank you Senator Fetterman for your leadership on this.
— Dave McCormick (@DaveMcCormickPA) October 19, 2023
It’s a shame Pennsylvania’s other Senator sits silent and won’t criticize his own party. https://t.co/Na0hU7UAna
9:16pm ET @DaveMcCormickPA notes Casey’s lack of leadership on this issue.
— Guy Benson (@guypbenson) October 19, 2023
Less than an hour later… pic.twitter.com/qFM8zT0YWt
Some of Fetterman's more recent posts are about the conflict, as he reminds that Hamas is to blame. This includes a pinned post from March 3 shared to his political account.
In addition to calling Hamas an "anathema to peace for Gaza," with a reminder that the terrorist group "instigated and owns this humanitarian catastrophe," Fetterman also added subsequent posts to this thread. As one of the "demand[s]," he believes there should be, Fetterman also furthers an Israeli talking point, which is to "Demand Hamas eliminated or permanently exiled."
Fetterman also had a message about the anti-Israel narrative that they were responsible for a rocket hitting a hospital late last October, when in reality it was a terrorist rocket. Such a falsehood was even furthered by members of Congress, including Fetterman's fellow Democrat, Rep. Rashida Tlaib of Michigan's 12th Congressional District and fellow Squad member, who was censured last November.
At any point, Hamas could have ended this burgeoning tragedy to surrender and release every hostage.
— John Fetterman (@JohnFetterman) March 3, 2024
Now, they're unwilling to provide a list of any surviving hostages.
Hamas is anathema to peace for Gaza.
Hamas instigated and owns this humanitarian catastrophe. pic.twitter.com/lpVAuYwm42
I'll always take the word of our ally over a group of cowards that hide in tunnels behind civilians and hold children, women and elderly hostage since October 7th.
— John Fetterman (@JohnFetterman) March 4, 2024
Back then, they also blamed the hospital rocket hit on Israel; it was proven to be a Hamas ally. pic.twitter.com/nQuI5P0wsk
While many have taken to thanking Fetterman, there are those that have called him "a disappointment," while an account that goes by "warcrimewatch" has put its anti-Israel stance on display by calling Fetterman out for daring to speak the truth.
Speaking of his fellow Democrats, specifically Tlaib, Fetterman also has a message for them when it comes to voting "uncommitted" over President Joe Biden, as over 101,000 people did in last week's Michigan Democratic Primary. Muslim and Arab-American voters who support such an effort have been less than pleased that what support Biden has shown for Israel isn't supportive enough of Gaza. Those in support of such efforts have also gone with pro-Hamas talking points like demanding a ceasefire.
Fetterman's meme post about the Democratic Socialists of America endorsing the "uncommitted" movement didn't go over too well with far-left Nina Turner, a former state senator in Ohio who had multiple failed runs for Congress.
Posting about voters that Democrats will need to defeat Trump in November with the same disdain you had for Dr. Oz is not beneficial for Biden. It’s a shame that must be said.
— Nina Turner (@ninaturner) March 4, 2024
Another post pointed out that the "uncommitted" voters are really helping to elect former and potentially future President Donald Trump once more. RealClearPolling currently shows Trump with a lead of +3.6 over Biden in this key battleground state.
To all the purists- 2016, how did that work out for you?
— John Fetterman (@JohnFetterman) March 2, 2024
In case anyone had any hope that Fetterman is suddenly becoming a Republican, they can think again. There's been issues with the Biden administration and its support for Israel, especially as it looks to not only meet with these angry activists in Michigan and other states, but take their demands seriously. Nevertheless, support for Israel still remains a bipartisan issue, even if it does put Democrats in severe disarray.
For all of his genuine support for Israel, it's also worth reminding that Fetterman also joined with his 50 other Democratic senators in voting against a standalone aid bill for Israel last November. Such a bill had already previously passed the House, too.
Perhaps Fetterman's biggest sign he's a committed Democrat is his appearance last month on MSNBC's "Morning Joe." When talking about how he believes Biden will win Pennsylvania, but that it could be "difficult," Fetterman offered that Democrats need to come together in supporting Biden. "I don't understand why," he said as he lamented Democrats publicly complaining about Biden. "I don’t know what’s in it for you to do that whether you’re just chasing clout, or you want to make it in the news, or anything like that. But if you’re not willing to just support the president now and say these kinds of things, you might as well just get your MAGA hat, because you now are helping Trump with this."
In sharing the clip, Fetterman even made a quip about speculation he was using a "body double."
what the body double said https://t.co/cCKlCofunv
— John Fetterman (@JohnFetterman) February 22, 2024
It's not merely his support for Israel--which is seen as one of the more bipartisan issues we have left--where Fetterman has something in common with Republicans. He made clear last December that he's "not a progressive" in an interview with NBC News in which he also expressed concern about the flow of illegal immigrants crossing the southern border. He has also repeatedly called out Harvard in recent months for not being more supportive of Israel as well.
More recently on the immigration issue, Fetterman even signaled support for HR 2, the Secure the Border Act, which passed the Republican-controlled House last May. Sen. Mike Lee (R-UT) was excited and hopeful enough to offer to shave his head "in solidarity."
If @JohnFetterman helps us to get H.R. 2 across the finish line and achieve real border security, I will shave my head again in solidarity.
— Mike Lee (@SenMikeLee) March 1, 2024
Heck, he can even hold the clippers. https://t.co/heD6FLsZew
Fetterman also called for "restraint" with the "the recreational cruelty" in people going after Rep. Lauren Boebert (R-CO) and her family have been in the news and generating chatter over social media after her 18-year-old son was been arrested.
But again, Fetterman remains a Democrat, albeit a commonsense one with decency who can lend support to bipartisan issues.
This is a family in crisis and the recreational cruelty I see on social media needs to be out of bounds.
— John Fetterman (@JohnFetterman) February 28, 2024
I know the impact this has on children. I'm calling for restraint because cruelty has substantial collateral damage.
We can't ever forget that they didn't sign up for this. https://t.co/SAbFMYsOCk
