A pro-Democrat political action committee (PAC) has withdrawn its support for Pennsylvania Senator John Fetterman, citing his vocal backing of Israel's military campaign in Gaza.
The Context
After the October 7 attack on Israel, which left around 1,200 Israelis dead and saw more than 200 hostages kidnapped and taken back to Gaza, Fetterman emerged as one of the most enthusiastic Democratic backers of Israel's campaign against Hamas.
He maintained his position throughout a bombing campaign and ground offensive that has left 31,000 dead, according to the Hamas-run Gaza Health Ministry. The ministry doesn't differentiate between dead civilians and Hamas fighters in its figures, but claims those killed include about 10,000 children and 7,000 women.
What We Know
The No Dem Left Behind PAC wrote on X, formerly Twitter, on Wednesday: "We deeply regret supporting Senator John Fetterman he betrayed all of us."
We deeply regret supporting @SenFettermanPA he betrayed all of us
— No Dem Left Behind (@NoDemLeftBehind) March 13, 2024
After another X user disagreed and claimed No Dem Left Behind was being "dramatic," the group replied: "35,000 dead is dramatic?" This appears to be a reference to the 31,000 Palestinians reported to have died in Gaza since October 7.
According to its website, No Dem Left Behind was founded by Hassan Martini with the aim of "amplifying the voices of rural Democrats across the country."
Newsweek contacted Fetterman's congressional office by email outside of normal working hours on Thursday for comment.
In the immediate aftermath of the October 7 attack, Fetterman released a statement saying: "I also fully support Israel neutralizing the terrorists responsible for this barbarism."
In January, Fetterman was filmed waving an Israeli flag at pro-Palestinian demonstrators who were protesting outside his home in Braddock, near Pittsburgh. On March 12, Fetterman posted a screenshot from a Politico article about CIA Director Bill Burns claiming a ceasefire is needed "to help starving children in Gaza."
The senator added: "Hamas owns this starvation. They stole billions in Gaza aid and used resources to help carry out the October 7th massacre. Everyday, Hamas eats well while innocent civilians suffer. Surrendering and releasing every hostage ends starvation in Gaza."
Fetterman has also angered some progressives by calling for "a secure border" between the U.S. and Mexico.
Speaking to NBC News in December Fetterman said: "I'm not a progressive. I just think I'm a Democrat that is very committed to choice and other things. But with Israel, I'm going to be on the right side of that. And immigration is something near and dear to me, and I think we do have to effectively address it as well."
Views
Fetterman's views on the Israel-Gaza war and immigration have sparked a heated backlash from some progressives.
Posting on X, former MSNBC host Mehdi Hasan claimed the senator "will have the blood of Rafah's children on his hands" should Israel launch an offensive into the city in southern Gaza.
Adam Carlson, a self-identified Democrat and pollster, posted: "Speaking as a Jewish Democrat, it really weirds me out when non-Jewish Democrats (e.g. John Fetterman, Ritchie Torres) are militantly pro-Israel. It borders on political fetishization."
However Fetterman's position on Israel earned praise from Fox News presenter Brian Kilmeade, who said the senator gives him "hope for the country."
Uncommon Knowledge
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About the writer
James Bickerton is a Newsweek U.S. News reporter based in London, U.K. His focus is covering U.S. politics and world ... Read more
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