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."