Pennsylvania Democratic Sen. John Fetterman is set to receive a top honor from the nation’s top Jewish university this week, the New York City institution confirmed to Fox News Digital on Tuesday.
Yeshiva University will hold a graduation ceremony for more than 1,700 students on Wednesday, and the Washington Heights institution will present Fetterman with its Presidential Medal.
In a statement, the university called Fetterman “an American patriot and an Israeli hero,” adding that he, along with students, had been fighting anti-Semitism and calling for the return of the hostages since Hamas invaded the Jewish state on Oct. 7.
Yeshiva rector Rabbi Ari Berman called the congressman from the Keystone State one of the “true heroes” of our time, demonstrating an “unwavering and courageous commitment to moral clarity.”
Fetterman denies Harris’ suggestion Israel could face retaliation for Rafah attack
“At this critical moment in Jewish and American history, our graduation will be a major achievement not only for our students, but also for the global community,” Berman said.
Fetterman called Yeshiva University’s invitation “truly humbling” and said in a statement that the school’s commencement ceremony is meaningful at a time when anti-Semitism is on the rise across the country.
The congressman has made frequent public comments in recent months in support of Israel and the IDF’s actions in Gaza, perplexing his Democratic colleagues.
Asked in a recent Fox News interview whether the IDF should invade Rafah, he said he would “follow Israel on that.”
“[Israeli leaders] “You probably know the situation better than I do,” he said.
They also resent comments from senior party figures such as Vice President Kamala Harris, who suggested the US would not rule out “consequences” against Israel in the event of an invasion of Rafah.
31 Palestinians killed in Israeli attack on Rafah ahead of planned ground invasion
“Completely disagree. Israel has the right to prosecute Hamas and force it to surrender or be removed,” Fetterman tweeted, along with a screenshot of a news article about Harris’ comments.
“Hamas is responsible for hiding Palestinian lives and for cowardly causing the deaths of innocent people,” he said.
Fetterman collectively criticized more than a dozen Democrats after 13 Democrats and Kentucky Republican Rep. Thomas Massie voted in April against a resolution condemning Iran’s missile attacks on Israel.
“I truly thought we would never see members of our party refuse to condemn Iran, the world’s leading sponsor of terrorism, after it launched hundreds of drones at our special ally, Israel,” Fetterman said.
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The congressman’s stance on Israel has also led to an exodus of staff from his office, with three public relations staff moving to posts in more left-leaning offices.
His proposals on Israel have sometimes put him at odds with his party, but he has often denied claims that he is not a loyal Democrat.
Fetterman’s 2022 Republican opponent, Dr. Mehmet Oz, famously labeled the then-lieutenant governor “Bernie Sanders 2.0” after the former vice governor exchanged endorsements with the Vermont Independent in the past, but Fetterman has repeatedly insisted he’s not a progressive.
He also rejected comparisons to moderate Sen. Joe Manchin (D-Va.) and former Democratic Sen. Kyrsten Sinema of Arizona. The New York Timesand has called President Biden “my candidate” in the 2024 presidential election.
The graduation ceremony will take place Wednesday at Louis Armstrong Stadium in Flushing Meadows, Queens, according to the university.
Fox News Digital reached out to Fetterman’s office for further comment but had not heard back by press time.
