Sen. John Fetterman (D-Pennsylvania) on Thursday criticized his Democratic colleagues for refusing to accuse Iran of attacking Israel in retaliation for the Syrian consulate bombing earlier this month.
“Never again will we witness party members refuse to condemn Iran, one of the world’s leading sponsors of terrorism, after launching hundreds of drones against Israel, our special ally. I really thought it wouldn’t happen,” Fetterman wrote on X (formerly Twitter). “I have no words.”
On Thursday, more than a dozen House Democrats voted against a resolution condemning Iran, which fired rockets at Israel over the weekend. U.S. officials said 99% of them were intercepted.
The move is in retaliation for Israel’s attack on its consulate in Damascus and represents a significant escalation in tensions as the war between Israel and Hamas continues. Despite decades of hostilities, Iran has never attacked Israel directly, relying instead on proxy forces in Iraq, Lebanon and elsewhere.
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Sen. John Fetterman speaks to reporters before a Senate luncheon at the U.S. Capitol on December 12, 2023 in Washington, DC. Mr. Fetterman spoke about military aid to Ukraine. (Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images)
Thursday’s resolution condemning Iran passed by an overwhelming vote of 404-14. Thirteen Democrats, including Squad member Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York, voted against the resolution. Rashida Tlaib, Michigan; Cori Bush, Missouri; Ilhan Omar, Democrat, Minnesota. Jamal Bowman, D.N.Y. and Ayanna Pressley, D-Mass.;
Only one House Republican, Rep. Thomas Massive (R-Ky.), voted against the bill.
Israel’s war against Hamas began on October 7, 2023, after militants from a pro-Palestinian terrorist organization invaded southern Israel, killing more than 1,000 people. The Hamas-run Gaza Health Ministry, which does not distinguish between fighters and civilians, said in the months that followed that more than 30,000 Palestinians had been killed.
Since Oct. 7, Mr. Fetterman has repeatedly irritated his Democratic colleagues with his fervent support for Israel.
Earlier this week, Fetterman said he would never “bow to the fringes” of the party. On Tuesday, he condemned anti-Israel agitators who blocked bridges and major roads.
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“I don’t know who needs to hear this, but there’s no justice in closing bridges or blaming people at Starbucks. It just makes you a hole in the hole,” Fetterman said. I wrote to X. “Demand Hamas to send all the hostages.” Go home and surrender. ”
Fox News Digital’s Elizabeth Elkind contributed to this report.
