Senator John Fetterman, a Democrat from Pennsylvania, criticized the “germ of antisemitism” present in anti-Israel protests on American college campuses in a recent interview. He expressed concern about the language used by protest leaders, particularly one at Columbia University who made troubling remarks about Zionists. Fetterman reiterated his support for Israel’s right to defend itself and suggested that the Jewish state also has the right to go after and eliminate Hamas, or force them to surrender. He called for more focus on Hamas’s role in perpetuating the conflict and the need for the group to be neutralized.
Fetterman emphasized the need for true peace in the region, which he believes cannot be achieved as long as Hamas is allowed to function. He highlighted the role of Hamas in perpetuating the conflict and called for the group to be neutralized to put an end to the misery, death, and destruction in the region. The senator recalled his stance on supporting peace and a two-state solution, but also being willing to lean in on Israel when necessary. He stressed the importance of taking action against Hamas in order to achieve lasting peace in the region.
Since experiencing a stroke, Fetterman said he has become more empathetic, especially towards individuals with disabilities. The senator used a speech-to-text app on a tablet during the interview to better understand questions. He noted the support he has received from some Republicans, emphasizing that he has always held certain beliefs and that the term “progressive” has evolved over time. Fetterman expressed his commitment to his beliefs and values, regardless of changing political labels.
Fetterman criticized protesters who he referred to as “a–holes” for their anti-Israel actions and slammed his own party for their response to an Iranian attack, which he deemed as “crazy.” He cited an incident at Columbia University where a protest leader made inflammatory comments about Zionists, comparing them to “White supremacists” and “Nazis.” Fetterman called for a more nuanced understanding of the situation and emphasized the need for accountability on all sides involved in the conflict.
The senator addressed the importance of discussing the role of Hamas in the conflict and questioned why there is not more focus on holding the group accountable for their actions. He stressed the need for Hamas to release hostages and surrender in order to achieve peace in the region. Fetterman highlighted the impact of monocultures and extremist ideologies in perpetuating conflict and called for a more balanced approach to understanding the complexities of the situation. In conclusion, Fetterman reaffirmed his support for peace and a two-state solution, while also recognizing the need to take action against groups like Hamas to achieve lasting peace in the Middle East.
