Senator John Fetterman has indicated that he would leave the Democratic Party if it officially becomes the "anti-Israel party." Fetterman, a Democrat from Pennsylvania, voiced this concern on Wednesday at The Hill's Nation Summit, stating that such a shift would cross his "ultimate red line."
"If our party ever becomes — and just makes it official — the anti-Israel party, that's when I would leave because that's been a moral clarity for me," Fetterman said during the event. He expressed a "long-term concern" that the party might "back away and turn their back to Israel."
Fetterman's remarks come amid a noticeable split within the Democratic Party on aid to Israel. On Wednesday, 103 of the 211 Democrats in the U.S. House of Representatives voted against providing aid to Israel, with an additional 10 voting "present." The party's leadership also showed division, with Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries opposing the measure while House Democratic Whip Katherine Clark supported it. Fetterman pointed to Clark's vote as a signal of a shifting political landscape within the party.
He also noted the success of progressive primary candidates who have been critical of Israel, suggesting the party is becoming increasingly "anti-Israel" and less accommodating to lawmakers who support the U.S. ally. Fetterman criticized colleagues he believes are attempting to appeal to the party's most vocal anti-Israel voters.
Previously, Fetterman has defended actions supporting Israel, including the Trump administration's decision to strike Iran earlier in the year. In February, he stated, "I might be a Democrat, but in this specific case, the President is absolutely correct to do these kinds of actions." He added at the time that "Now we have Israel's back. That is why it is entirely a path for peace in that region."
Fetterman has faced Republican outreach regarding switching parties but has declined to elaborate on these discussions, referring to them as "private conversations." In a May interview with Politico, he rejected the idea of changing parties or becoming an independent, stating, "I'm a Democrat, and I'm staying one."
Additionally, Fetterman and Republican Senator Dave McCormick established a joint political committee earlier this month called Common Ground PA, intended to raise funds from donors wishing to support both senators. Recent polling has suggested Fetterman performs better with Republicans in his state than with Democrats, and even leads McCormick.