John Fetterman calls Palestinian statehood push an ‘absolute betrayal’

WASHINGTON, DC: Senator John Fetterman publicly broke ranks with his own party on Sunday, December 14, aligning himself with Republican Senator Lindsey Graham over growing Democratic support for Palestinian statehood.

Fetterman’s remarks came in the aftermath of a deadly antisemitic attack at a Hanukkah celebration in Bondi Beach, Australia, that left at least 12 people dead. Authorities said the assault deliberately targeted the Jewish community and confirmed it was being investigated as an act of terrorism.

Reacting to the attack and the broader international response to the Israel-Hamas war, Fetterman accused members of his own party of tolerating antisemitic rhetoric and failing to confront extremism clearly and forcefully.

John Fetterman agrees with Republican Senator Lindsey Graham

Appearing on the same program as Graham, Fetterman said he agreed “with virtually everything” the South Carolina senator warned about regarding Palestinian statehood.

Graham had argued that recognizing a Palestinian state without Hamas disarming would only embolden the militant group. Echoing that view, Fetterman said, “It’s an absolute betrayal for Israel and for the worldwide Jewish community.”

“Whether it’s France or Australia or any of these nations, our Western allies are now calling for a two-state solution when Hamas refuses to disarm and are actively trying to kill Jews,” Fetterman said. “I can’t imagine why anybody would do that at this point.”

Graham also condemned Western nations that moved to recognize a Palestinian state, accusing them of “rewarding killing Jews” with such decisions. Australia, France, the United Kingdom, and Canada formally recognized a Palestinian state earlier this year, a move that has drawn sharp criticism from pro-Israel lawmakers in the United States.

In response, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney said his government’s position was not intended to legitimize terrorism but to support long-term reconstruction and stability following the devastating Israel-Hamas war.

John Fetterman condemns Democratic response to antisemitic violence

Fetterman went on to accuse Democrats of embracing what he described as increasingly hostile and anti-Israel rhetoric, warning that it was becoming “more and more part of my party’s platform.”

“I can’t imagine why so many parts of people in my party continue to back away or to kind of deflect when condemning these kinds of horrific acts of terrorism,” he said.

The Pennsylvania senator has long positioned himself as one of the most outspoken pro-Israel Democrats in Congress. He has repeatedly urged party leaders to draw firmer lines against antisemitism and extremist violence, particularly in the wake of the October 7 Hamas attack on Israel.

Fetterman also blamed social media for fueling antisemitism in the United States, especially among younger Americans. He argued that online platforms have amplified misinformation and anti-Israel narratives at a time when Jewish communities are facing heightened threats.

“Young people in our nation have turned their back entirely against Israel,” he said. “That’s the social media, that’s the scourge, that’s where antisemitism breeds."

Chuck Schumer condemns antisemitic attack at Hanukkah festival

Several Democratic lawmakers also spoke out to condemn the attack in Sydney, including Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer of New York.

In a post on X, Schumer called the antisemitic terrorist attack at a Hanukkah festival “beyond appalling.”

“It is a shocking reminder that antisemitism and hate are not only toxic and far too present and widespread around the world, they are deadly,” Schumer wrote. “They must be vigorously condemned, confronted, and overcome.”

Schumer concluded his statement by invoking the spirit of Hanukkah, urging communities to stand against hate as Jewish families lit candles marking the holiday of light and resilience.