Sen. John Fetterman (D-PA) sharply criticized Joe Biden over the weekend, expressing disapproval of the administration’s response to Iran’s Saturday attacks against Israel. During a Sunday interview on CNN, Fetterman condemned the president’s decision to withhold support for an Israeli counterattack following Iran’s launch of 185 suicide drones, 110 surface-to-surface missiles and 36 cruise missiles targeting Israel.
“I’m astonished that we are not standing firmly with Israel, and there should never be any kinds of conditions and all that,” Fetterman said.
Meanwhile, Joe Biden reportedly advised Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu against retaliating, a move that Fetterman openly disagreed with during the interview. “I don’t agree with that,” he said plainly. “And I just think we should follow and have Israel’s back in this situation.”
Fetterman Blasts Biden For ‘Not Standing Firmly With Israel’: ‘I Don’t Agree With The President’ https://t.co/Z1qf8N5D0m pic.twitter.com/ZSXjS02di8
— Daily Wire News (@DailyWireNews) April 14, 2024
The Pennsylvania senator also criticized elements within his party, asserting that pandering to the far-left empowers Hamas, which he believes is currently winning the public relations battle and refusing to negotiate. “They think they’re going to hold on to the very end,” Fetterman added.
This division within the Democratic Party comes at a critical time when the Biden administration faces increasing pressure to balance progressive demands with traditional foreign policy stances. Despite his criticisms, Fetterman confirmed his ongoing support for Biden, emphasizing the importance of party unity in domestic policies while retaining his firm stance on foreign affairs.
Democratic Sen. @JohnFetterman tells CNN’s @JakeTapper that President Biden shouldn’t “capitulate to the fringe” in his party when it comes to Israel. pic.twitter.com/pjDqi0sBPJ
— State of the Union (@CNNSOTU) April 14, 2024
Sen. Fetterman’s outspoken remarks come at a precarious moment for U.S.-Israel relations. His critique of President Biden points to a potential rift within the Democratic Party that could influence upcoming policy decisions and the broader U.S. stance in the Middle East.
Moreover, Fetterman’s approach could resonate with conservative voters who favor strong support for Israel. His clear-cut stance against the Biden administration’s current policy may set the stage for more intense debates within the U.S. about the balance between engaging in foreign conflicts and maintaining strategic partnerships. This could ultimately influence the Democratic Party’s foreign policy platform and Biden’s strategies leading into the next election cycle.
