John Fetterman says he'll "lean in" on U.S.-Israel relationship as senator
John Fetterman, the lieutenant governor of Pennsylvania and the Democratic frontrunner in next month's high-profile Senate primary, said he was "eager to affirm" his "unwavering" commitment to bolstering ties between the United States and Israel in an interview with Jewish Insider on Thursday, emphasizing that he will "lean in" on such efforts if he is elected to the upper chamber this November.
"Whenever I'm in a situation to be called on to take up the cause of strengthening and enhancing the security of Israel or deepening our relationship between the United States and Israel, I'm going to lean in," Fetterman declared in his first conversation with a Jewish publication since he launched his campaign more than a year ago. "The relationship is a special one that needs to be safeguarded, protected, supported and nurtured through legislation and all available diplomatic efforts in the region."
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With just over a month remaining until the May 17 primary, Fetterman's long silence on such matters has fueled curiosity among Jewish leaders in the commonwealth who have wondered where, if at all, he might place himself in that debate.
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"I would also respectfully say that I'm not really a progressive in that sense," he added. "Our campaign is based on core Democratic values and principles, and always has been, and there is no daylight between myself and these kinds of unwavering commitments to Israel's security."
Still, Fetterman said he was "eager to affirm" his positions on the record, lest there be any uncertainty among supporters of Israel who have similar questions. "I want to go out of my way to make sure that it's absolutely clear," he told JI, "that the views that I hold in no way go along the lines of some of the more fringe or extreme wings of our party."
During the interview, Fetterman took special pains, it seemed, to do just that, at one point anticipating a question about U.S. funding for Israel before it had been posed to him. "Let me just say this, even if I'm asked or not, I was dismayed by the Iron Dome vote," Fetterman said, alluding to a small cohort of far-left House members who, last September, opposed legislation that would provide $1 billion to replenish Israel's missile-defense system following the conflict last May with Hamas in Gaza. "I would never vote in that regard."
"Israel has the supreme right to defend itself, especially when there are thousands of rockets being indiscriminately fired at innocent civilians," he argued. "I believe that the vote was misguided, and that is something that I would never be a part of."
Fetterman said he is "equally passionate" in his opposition to the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions movement targeting Israel. "It's just wrong," he said. "Israel is our closest ally and friend in the region, and I do not believe that is anything productive that enhances not only Israel's security but the region's security through that process."
The lieutenant governor backed legislation at the state level, signed into law six years ago by Pennsylvania's Democratic governor, Tom Wolf, barring the commonwealth from pursuing contracts with companies that participate in boycotts of Israel.
More broadly, Fetterman said he is in favor of continued U.S. security assistance for Israel — "without any additional conditions."
You know I only knew of this guy from things here and there, some comments about how based he is, etc. There are like a handful of hopeful stardots in the sky of my mind, and this guy was a faint one on the periphery where I hardly ever look, but it still sucks to see it disappear and there be just a black tapestry in its place once again
He was only ever a more moderate, right of Bernie social democrat. And this is totally in line with that
I plan to vote for him in the primary because the alternatives are worse. Lamb has huge corporate PACs funded by the insurance lobby dumping ads on the airwaves about how Fetterman is a socialist because he supports medicare for all.
He has his flaws but I'd rather see Fetterman beat the party machine in the state instead of giving up. If this issue is a deal breaker, I can't blame you and I'd respect that.
I will not vote in the general if he's not on the ballot though. Unless Kenyatta somehow wins the primary. Otherwise I'm staying home.
Bummer. He’s good, relative to the rest of the field. But holy shit what a field it is
Growing rusted chariot wheels and tumbledown wells, in the style of Victorian England
“Let me just say this, even if I’m asked or not, I was dismayed by the Iron Dome vote,” Fetterman said […] “I would never vote in that regard.”
A vote that was 420-9 in favor of sending even more money to Israel's military. That's ~98% yes votes. Only 8 Dems opposed it, one of whom is of Palestinian descent. I don't see why he even feels the need to distance himself from that.
Because Israeli fascism is just that fragile that 98% isn't enough. This fucking country.
Palestine will never be free until the US is no longer capable of being an imperialist power. It doesn't matter if literally every country not Israel or the US wants to see the Palestinians' humanity restored. Settlers just love their fellow settlers too damn much. The brainworms are too deep, when even the """left"""" i.e. dem socs and radlibs fall over themselves to lick settler boot.
Please tell me that the DSA locals have properly refused to endorse... Since the NPC has made it incumbent on them to make that choice (at least until they change their minds because that's inconvenient), then those locals are obligated to refuse endorsement.
