Sen. John Fetterman stands with Israel, appreciates GOP support

WASHINGTON (NewsNation) — Protesting is everybody’s right, but Senator John Fetterman questions how effective the pro-Palestinian encampments and protests on college campuses have been.

“It’s a great American value to protest, but I don’t believe living in a pup tent for Hamas is really helpful,” said the Pennsylvania Democrat in an interview with Chris Stirewalt on “The Hill Sunday.”

Fetterman says many of the protests contain a “germ of antisemitism,” and he’s fully behind Israel. “I support peace and I support a two-state solution. But you know, if the stuff hits the fan, I’m going to lean in on Israel. And that’s exactly what I’ve done.”

“Everyone has the right to defend yourself as a nation,” he said. “But you also have the right, I believe, to go after and eliminate Hamas, or at least to force them to surrender.”

Fetterman adds that neither President Joe Biden nor Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu have the power to end the war with Hamas. That, he says, is up to Hamas.

“Hamas could end it right now, immediately. They could release the last hostage, and they could surrender and all of the misery and the death and the destruction ends right there too.”

But he also believes there’s one more step to a lasting peace.

“You cannot allow Hamas … to function. And they’ve been very clear, they’re proud of what we’ve done. And (they will) do it again and again. And it’s very reasonable to make sure that Hamas needs to be neutralized.”

On the battle for Pennsylvania

When it comes to neutralizing former President Donald Trump in the Keystone State, Fetterman acknowledges the tough campaign ahead.

“Donald Trump is incredibly popular in Pennsylvania. You know, there’s definitely a connection … and it’s going to be competitive.” Trump won Pennsylvania in 2016, while Biden won in 2020. The latest Decision Desk HQ poll puts the race within the margin of error: Trump 47%, Biden 45%.

Fetterman says winning the battleground state may come down to battleground counties, such as Bucks and Chester in the suburbs north and south of Philadelphia. Both are home to many moderate Republicans.

“I do believe the Democrats and the Republicans are going to all come home and I’ve always believed this is … two stark choices here.”

Overcoming medical challenges

Elected to the Senate in 2022, Fetterman’s tenure has been marked by major medical challenges. He suffered a stroke during the campaign but won the primary and the general election. Shortly after taking office in 2023, he was hospitalized for severe depression. He spent two months working from his bed at Walter Reed Military Medical Center.

“I thought before the stroke, I was an empathetic person. But now after that it’s much more so,” he said.

“Anyone with a disability, or anyone that has struggled with things like depression, or even worse, self-harm. I thought it was really important … to pay that forward and have that conversation.”

Fetterman has adjusted to the change in his cognitive abilities, with some help. The Senate installed closed-captioning screens in the chamber. During his interview with The Hill, he used a tablet with a speech-to-text app to fully grasp Chris Stirewalt’s questions.

Praise from Republicans

Fetterman’s personal challenges continue at a time when many Republicans have praised him for some of the stands he’s taken.

“I’ve been saying that for years … I really don’t identify myself as progressive. It’s not that I’ve changed but that that word has changed.”

Fetterman has won praise from Republicans for his strong support for Israel, his attempts to expel New Jersey Senator Bob Menendez over his bribery charges, and his warnings about border security.

“It’s very clear that in Washington, you got to work together for the right thing. I don’t check and see what letters (are) after someone’s name, whether I can get along with them.”