Netanyahu Thanks Fetterman During Jerusalem Meeting: ‘Israel Has Had No Better Friend’
US Sen. John Fetterman (D-PA), left, shakes hands with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Jerusalem on June 26, 2024. Photo: Amos Ben-Gershom (GPO)
US Sen. John Fetterman (D-PA) met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Jerusalem on Wednesday while on his first-ever trip to the Jewish state.
Netanyahu and Fetterman held a joint press conference where the Israeli leader heaped praise on the senator for his unflinching support for the Jewish state amid its ongoing war against the terrorist group Hamas.
“We’ve been through dark times in these months of anguish war. During that time, I can say that Israel has had no better friend than Sen. John Fetterman. Senator, welcome to Israel,” Netanyahu said.
In the months following Hamas’ brutal slaughter of over 1200 people throughout southern Israel on Oct. 7, Fetterman has emerged as a stalwart ally of the Jewish state. The Pennsylvania senator has repeatedly defended Israel’s right to wage a military campaign aimed at freeing the hostages kidnapped by Hamas terrorists and dismantling the Islamist organization’s military and governing capabilities in Gaza. He has also condemned fellow progressive lawmakers for demanding the Biden administration curb weapons transfers to Israel.
“I want to thank you for your courageous statements that show moral clarity and moral courage and you just say it the way it is,” Netanyahu said to Fetterman. “We appreciate this friendship at all times but especially at these times. So welcome, friend.”
Fetterman reiterated his commitment to supporting Israel.
“We stand with Israel through this. I’m so sorry for what’s been done to this nation but I’m just honored to be here today,” the senator said.
Fetterman met with Israeli President Isaac Herzog on Tuesday. Herzog also thanked Fetterman for his steadfast support for the Jewish state. The Pennsylvania lawmaker sported a bracelet gifted to him by the family members of the Oct. 7 Nova Music festival massacre. Fetterman vowed not to remove the bracelet until all remaining hostages from Gaza were reunited with their families.
Fetterman’s position on Israel has perplexed and enraged some of his former left-wing allies. Several of his top staffers have left his office to join organizations much more critical of the Jewish state. Anti-Israel activists have repeatedly held raucous protests and demonstrations outside of his office, demanding that he support a “ceasefire” between Israel and Hamas. Despite the intense backlash Fetterman has received from the left, he has continued to express public support for Israel.
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