Senator John Fetterman, a Pennsylvania Democrat, delivered a forceful rebuke on Thursday against what he described as his party's troubling shift in perspective toward Israel. The senator, a staunch supporter of the U.S.-Israel alliance, expressed dismay over mounting Democratic criticism of the country, particularly in light of recent joint military actions with the United States targeting Iran.
Poll Reveals Deep Democratic Disapproval
Fetterman pointed to a newly released Pew Research survey that found a staggering 80% of Democrats and Democratic-leaning independents now hold an unfavorable view of Israel. "That's insane. You know, that's our special ally," Fetterman stated during an interview on Fox News. He emphasized Israel's shared values with the United States, questioning how such a high proportion of his party could view the nation negatively.
The broader survey data indicates a significant decline in Israel's standing with the American public. Overall, 60% of U.S. adults hold an unfavorable perception, and 59% express little to no confidence in Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's handling of world affairs. This skepticism is even more pronounced among adults under 50, with 70% in that demographic viewing Israel unfavorably.
A Call for Party Realignment
Fetterman's frustration extends beyond the general electorate to include Democratic lawmakers in Congress. He positioned himself as an outlier within his caucus, urging fellow Democrats to reassess their stance. "I think more Democrats should listen to me and say be on the right side of history and holding Iran accountable," he argued. "And if you have to pick a side, pick our side, pick civilization, pick Israel."
The senator offered full-throated support for the recent U.S.-Israeli military operations against Iran, deeming them "necessary." These joint strikes, conducted in late February, occurred alongside ongoing nuclear deal negotiations, highlighting the complex and volatile security landscape in the region.
Amid Broader Political Tensions
Fetterman's comments also touched on the domestic political fallout from recent events. He criticized calls from some Democrats for President Trump's removal following the president's stark threats against Iran earlier in the week. "Why can't we just root for our military?" Fetterman asked, suggesting that support for national security actions should transcend disagreements with presidential rhetoric.
This stance further isolates Fetterman from a segment of his party, as evidenced by his previous break with Democratic leadership on related matters, such as his opposition to an Iran War Powers resolution. The political context remains tense, with a fragile U.S.-Iran ceasefire agreement announced just before a Tuesday deadline already being tested by subsequent strikes from both Israel and Iran.
In his concluding remarks, Fetterman framed his position as one of principled support for American interests and its allies. "We should be on the side of America, and we should be on the sides of civilization and the free world," he stated. "And I'm on that side, and I don't know why I'm the only Democrat that says those kinds of things at this point, and I'm going to continue to always vote to support our military, whatever's required for them to do to hold Iran accountable and make that region more safe." His defiant posture underscores a growing and potentially consequential rift within the Democratic Party over foreign policy and alliance commitments.
