Fetterman Threatens To Leave Democratic Party If It Becomes the ‘Anti-Israel Party’

Senator John Fetterman of Pennsylvania is warning his fellow Democrats that he would leave the party if it ever becomes the “anti-Israel” party. Depending on how the midterm elections shape up, that threat could become a real concern as a narrowly divided Senate would hand him a great deal of power. Mr. Fetterman has long been disliked by members of his party for his criticisms of the left flank and his support for Israel. Since October 7, 2023, he has consistently stated that he will do whatever it takes to support the country. He has been the only Democrat to vote against war powers resolution directing the U.S. military to end operations in Iran, saying that it is paramount to both American and Israeli security that Iran be deterred. Speaking at the Hill Nation Summit at Washington, D.C., on Wednesday, Mr. Fetterman made his clearest threat yet that he could end up leaving the party. Prior to his remarks, he had said for months that he would not leave his party to become either an independent or a Republican. “If our party ever becomes — and just makes it official — the anti-Israel party, that’s when I would leave because that’s been a moral clarity for me,” Mr. Fetterman said. He called out some of his fellow Democrats for becoming “hostile” to Israel, including by voting down a procedural measure for the annual defense authorization bill which would have established a new U.S.–Israel defense technology initiative. He also railed against the 103 House Democrats who voted for an amendment on Wednesday to zero out all American aid to Israel for the coming fiscal year.“I can’t understand why the Democratic Party that has these very specific values” will not support Israel, because, he says, it is the only country that “lives” and “projects” those same values. When asked if he had spoken to either President Trump or any of his Senate Republican colleagues about leaving the Democratic Party, Mr. Fetterman said he would not divulge the details of any of his private conversations. “Watch what I do,” he said.Mr. Fetterman chastised elected Democrats and the Democratic Party’s base for coming after him, given the fact that he votes with his party the vast majority of the time. He says he won’t accept criticism of his friendship with Senator Dave McCormick, Pennsylvania’s other senator who happens to be a Republican. He also mentioned Senator Bernie Sanders as someone who is supporting some of the far-left, anti-Israel candidates who are set to hold major influence on Capitol Hill come next year.“Why did you push these people? Why did you buy in?” Mr. Fetterman said of Mr. Sanders. Mr. Fetterman pointed to Graham Platner, the former Democratic nominee for Senate in Maine who dropped out of the race after being accuse of raping an ex-girlfriend. Mr. Fetterman’s threat to leave the party could become a serious concern next year depending on the outcome of the Senate elections. If Democrats are able to pick up three seats, then his threat won’t really matter, as the Republicans will still hold the majority with 50 votes and Vice President JD Vance acting as the tiebreaker. If Democrats can pick up a net of four seats, however, Mr. Fetterman’s current party will hold a 51–49 majority. In that case, if Mr. Fetterman left his party, then the GOP would retake the majority should he either become a Republican or an independent who caucuses with the GOP.

Fetterman Threatens To Leave Democratic Party If It Becomes the ‘Anti-Israel Party’

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