Senator John Fetterman warned Thursday he would leave the Democratic Party if it adopts anti-Israel policies. It’s one of his most direct warnings yet, and comes as the Pennsylvania senator’s battle with progressives in his party over its direction intensifies. Fetterman slammed the progressive left in a CNN interview for pushing positions against Israel’s government amid the war in Gaza and Iran.
1+“That’s my red line,” Fetterman said. “If the Democratic Party officially becomes anti-Israel, then that’s what would make me leave.” He pointed to a vote by more than 100 House Democrats to block billions of dollars in military aid to Israel, calling it merely “symbolic.” But he made clear that if that position becomes the party’s official platform, the situation would be completely different.
Fetterman added that “it’s legitimate to continue eliminating Hamas leadership, and it’s legitimate for Hezbollah too.” He expressed frustration that “Democrats were proud to stand with Israel, and look where we are now.” The senator is in growing conflict with the left wing of his party, in part because of his uncompromising support for Israel’s government.
1+He criticized liberal Senate candidates, noting that “look at the kind of people we chose in the primaries—not just pro-‘Palestinian’, but intensely anti-Israel.” Still, Fetterman, who’s expected to run for reelection in 2028, faces growing danger within his party. A new poll found that a majority of Democratic voters in Pennsylvania want him to leave the party.
Fetterman reacted with bewilderment to the poll findings: “It’s weird that someone who votes 90% Democratic line and gets 80% support from Republicans. How is that? I don’t understand it.” He linked his growing unpopularity among Democrats to his open support for Israel, but didn’t say whether he’ll run for reelection in 2028 or in a Democratic primary.