Sen. John Fetterman, D-Pa., said Saturday that he sees little chance of finding common ground with the far-left wing of his party on Israel. He also criticized a push to replace Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer and described his new 2028 primary challenger as “pro-Hamas.”
Speaking on “Saturday in America,” Fetterman said his differences with some Democrats over Israel and the Jewish community had become pronounced. He also argued that Iran should be recognized as an enemy because, he said, its leaders have threatened Israel and the United States.
After Democrats regained control of the House and Senate in the midterm elections, Sen. Chris Van Hollen, D-Md., announced he would challenge Schumer for the leadership post. Progressive lawmakers, including Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., and Sen.-elect Abdul El-Sayed, D-Mich., have backed Van Hollen.
Fetterman said he would be troubled if his caucus chose Van Hollen, whom he accused of building a profile around hostility toward Israel. He also pointed to Van Hollen’s widely covered trip to El Salvador to meet Kilmar Abrego Garcia, a Salvadoran migrant deported by the Trump administration.
Fetterman said he was unsure what else Van Hollen was known for, though he acknowledged the Maryland senator had become popular among progressives. He questioned whether Van Hollen could win the leadership contest, but said it remained possible, noting that protesters had recently urged him to vote against Schumer.
“We have to find a way forward,” Fetterman said, adding that Democrats had returned to internal disputes soon after their election victories. He called for cooperation across party lines on issues including the national debt, artificial intelligence, Iran and Social Security, and said he hoped Democrats could work with the White House.
Fetterman also criticized Ahmed Moor, a Palestinian-American writer and activist born in Gaza who announced a Democratic primary challenge against him for 2028. Fetterman called Moor “very proud, pro-Hamas” and said some Democratic voters objected to his own strong support for Israel.
Fetterman said he would continue backing Israel and argued that Democrats should discuss whether Iran’s government would be held accountable. Moor’s campaign rejected Fetterman’s characterization, saying Moor condemns violence against civilians and believes Fetterman has not adequately represented Pennsylvanians.
The campaign said Moor supports an arms embargo and targeted sanctions until Palestinians have equal rights. It also said he would oppose antisemitism and anti-Palestinian racism with equal commitment.
