United States Senator John Fetterman has declared that he would not support Senator Chris Van Hollen to become Senate Democratic Leader due to his “hostile” stance against Israel.
Appearing on Fox News, Fetterman hinted he could leave the Democratic Party if Hollen, who is challenging incumbent Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, emerged as Senate Minority Leader.
“It would be troubling if my caucus elects someone like Van Hollen, who has really made his name being very hostile to Israel,” the Pennsylvania senator said.
Fetterman argued that the focus of anger or hostility should be towards other entities in the Middle East region, mentioning Iran, Hezbollah, and Hamas.
The politician further questioned why the first instinct of his colleagues in both the House and the Senate is to “punish Israel” and withhold American aid.
On having to work with Senator-elect Abdul El-Sayed and others he criticised, Fetterman said he doesn’t expect “any common ground,” citing his “strong difference of opinion on Israel and the Jewish community.”
The lawmaker chided those who cannot identify Iran as an enemy that’s committed to destroying Israel and the US, saying, “these are the kinds of individuals that the Democratic Party elected.”
With the Trump administration receiving flak over the war in Iran, a factor in the Republican loss in the midterm elections, Fetterman blames the Iranians for stalling peace.
The senator explained that his position prioritises country over party, “and that’s about peace and standing with our special ally like Israel through it.”
In a previous interview, Fetterman told reporters he “absolutely stands” with Schumer: “He helped recruit a great class. I can’t imagine why you would vote for someone like Hollen with no record of anything.”
Senator Schumer and Rep. Hakeem Jeffries face resistance from leading Democrats in the US Congress for being pro-Israel and showing “reluctance” to investigate President Donald Trump’s family and administration officials.
