Democratic Sen. John Fetterman on Sunday again harshly criticized the “Hamas tent” protests by anti-Israel American college students, but said he had no problem with the praise he received from conservatives.
Pennsylvania’s pro-Israel Paul gained a reputation for leaning far to the left before entering the Senate, but his staunch defense of the Jewish state and occasional backlash against progressives has earned him some admiration on the right. All of that is helping him. persuade Republican donors.
“I don’t have a litmus test,” says Keystone State Democrat. He told NewsNation’s “The Hill Sunday.” He mentioned the issues he supports.
“We don’t have to agree on everything,” he added of himself and other Democrats.
Mr. Fetterman previously supported left-handed Sen. Bernie Sanders (R-Vermont) as a presidential candidate, and is about the median vote among Senate Democrats. According to GovTrack.
But his unabashed support for Israel has irritated progressives.
On Sunday, as hundreds of students staged sit-ins against Israel on college campuses, including Manhattan’s prestigious Columbia University, Mr. Fetterman did not back down.
“Let me just say this: It’s clear that there’s an undercurrent of anti-Semitism in all of these protests, and sometimes it flares up again,” Fetterman said.
“Of course it’s a great American value to protest, but I don’t think living in a Hamas tent is really helpful,” he said, referring to the Palestinian terrorist organization at war with Israel. .
Last week, Fetterman told Columbia University President Minoush Shafiq, “Do your job or resign,” in terms of curbing what he called an “anti-Semitic, unconscionable and dangerous” student movement. ” was requested.
Fetterman insisted Sunday that he long ago shed the progressive label.
“I’ve been saying that for years. I don’t consider myself a progressive at all,” Fetterman said. “As I said before, it’s not me who has changed, it’s the word that has changed.
“I’m just a Democrat, and I’ve always had very clear and consistent views,” he said.
Paul expressed pride in the Senate’s recent efforts to bridge the partisan divide and pass $95 billion in aid for Israel, Ukraine, and Taiwan.
“In Washington, it’s clear that we have to work together for what’s right. And I was so proud to vote in favor of this huge bill less than a week ago,” Fetterman said. said.
“This is a dramatic statement from us and the House of Representatives, first in support of democracy and our allies,” he continued. “And I don’t understand why anyone would vote against it. But I can still have a beer with them.”
A nearly $26 billion package for military aid to Israel and humanitarian aid to Palestinian residents in Gaza has proven divisive among Democrats.
But Fetterman said Sunday that some things are crystal clear.
“I can’t end that war, Joe Biden can’t end that war. [Israeli Prime Minister Benjamkin] Netanyahu cannot end the war. But Hamas can end it now,” he said.
