Senator John Fetterman, a Democrat from Pennsylvania, criticized his fellow Democratic colleagues for their reluctance to condemn Iran's recent attack on Israel. Fetterman expressed his disbelief on social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter, stating that he never expected members of his party to refrain from condemning Iran, a prominent sponsor of terrorism, for launching hundreds of drones against Israel.
Following Iran's retaliation for the bombing of its Syrian consulate by firing rockets at Israel, more than a dozen House Democrats voted against a resolution condemning Iran. Despite U.S. officials reporting that 99% of the rockets were intercepted, the attack marked a significant escalation of tensions amidst Israel's conflict with Hamas.
While Iran has historically relied on proxy forces in various regions to target Israel, this direct attack was a departure from previous tactics. The resolution condemning Iran was passed with overwhelming support, with only 14 members voting against it, including prominent Democrats like Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Rashida Tlaib, and Ilhan Omar.
Senator Fetterman's unwavering support for Israel has caused friction within his party, particularly due to his vocal criticism of anti-Israel demonstrations that disrupt public spaces. Fetterman emphasized the importance of demanding Hamas to release hostages and surrender rather than resorting to disruptive tactics.
The ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas, which intensified after militants invaded southern Israel and resulted in significant casualties on both sides, has drawn international attention. Fetterman's stance on supporting Israel and condemning acts of terrorism has set him apart from some of his Democratic colleagues.
