Fetterman Says No 'Common Ground' Left With Far-Left Democrats Over Israel
Pennsylvania Democratic Senator John Fetterman has said he no longer sees any common ground with the far-left wing of his party over its stance on Israel. He made the remarks on Saturday during an appearance on Fox News's 'Saturday in America,' hosted by Kayleigh McEnany.
'I have a strong, strong difference of opinion on Israel and the Jewish community overall now. I don't think there's going to be any more common ground,' Fetterman said. He added that if someone cannot identify Iran as an enemy committed to destroying Israel and the United States, 'this is the kind of individual that the Democratic Party elected.'
Following midterm elections in which Democrats regained control of both the House and the Senate, Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer is facing a challenge to his leadership. Maryland Senator Chris Van Hollen announced his bid to replace Schumer on Thursday, with support from progressive lawmakers including Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders and Michigan Senator-elect Abdul El-Sayed.
Asked whether a Van Hollen victory would cross a 'red line' for him, Fetterman said it would be troubling if his caucus elected someone like Van Hollen, who, he said, has made his name being 'very hostile to Israel.' He also cited the attention Van Hollen received for his high-profile trip to El Salvador to meet Kilmar Abrego Garcia, a Salvadoran migrant deported by the Trump administration.
'Other than that, I can't really think of what Van Hollen's known for, but he became like a progressive darling. I don't see that he has a path to be leader, but overall it's possible, because just last weekend I had a lot of people protesting, demanding that we vote against Schumer,' Fetterman said.
He nevertheless appealed for party unity. 'We have to find a way forward. After our massive wins, we immediately go back to fighting amongst ourselves. Can't we just, you know, take the win?' he said. Fetterman also called for bipartisan cooperation on the national debt, artificial intelligence, Iran and Social Security, expressing hope that Democrats could work with the White House.
In the same appearance, Fetterman attacked his new 2028 Democratic primary challenger, Ahmed Moor, a Gaza-born Palestinian-American writer and activist who announced his challenge earlier in the week. Calling Moor 'pro-Hamas,' Fetterman said: 'This is someone that is very proud, very proud, pro-Hamas, and there are parts of my Democratic base that find my views more troubling or offensive, my strong support of Israel, versus his views.' He added: 'I'm always going to support Israel.'
In a statement to Fox News Digital, Moor's campaign pushed back, saying the candidate 'condemns violence against civilians by anyone' and accusing the Pennsylvania senator of failing to represent his constituents.
The campaign said Moor is running on a platform of dignity, justice and the rule of law, supports an arms embargo and targeted sanctions until Palestinians have equal rights, and would fight antisemitism and anti-Palestinian racism with the same conviction. Fox News Digital also reached out to Van Hollen for comment.
