Fetterman Says Democratic Party More Open to Anti-9/11 Rhetoric Than Pro-Israel Stance

Sen. John Fetterman, D-Pa., asserted Saturday that the Democratic Party’s “big tent” has become more accommodating to individuals expressing sentiments that America “deserved 9/11” than to Democrats who hold a strong pro-Israel stance. Fetterman made the remarks at the Texas Tribune Festival in Austin while discussing potential circumstances that could lead him to leave the Democratic Party.

"It’s easier to be included in that big tent to say ‘America deserved 9/11’ or America is ‘worse than Al-Qaeda’ than being very proud to stand on the side of Israel," Fetterman said. "More and more members of my caucus are becoming more and more anti-Israel."

Fetterman’s reference to the “America deserved 9/11” remark pointed to streamer Hasan Piker, who made the statement during a 2019 livestream. Piker later clarified that he did not believe Americans deserved the attacks. Fetterman cited Piker’s public appearances as indicative of where political energy is building within the left wing of his party.

"I’m just describing that’s where a lot of the energy on the left is in my party," Fetterman stated.

The senator’s comments highlight a growing divide within the Democratic Party regarding Israel. A Pew Research Center survey conducted in March revealed that 80% of Democrats and Democratic-leaning independents held an unfavorable view of Israel, an increase from 53% in 2022. Overall, 60% of American adults expressed an unfavorable view of Israel.

Fetterman articulated his own position, stating, "If America stops supporting Israel or turns their back on Israel, that must mean that we don't even believe in ourselves anymore. I mean that's that's our special ally and that is the kinds of values and the kinds of the you know how we live here that's that only exists in one place in that region and that's that's Israel."

He further declared, "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."

In response to the party’s internal tensions, Democratic National Committee Chair Ken Martin addressed the situation, defending the party as a “big tent” while distancing the DNC from Piker’s controversial remarks. "Let me just say that I think it’s absolutely disgusting and deplorable the things that Hasan Piker has said," Martin commented. "But he does not represent the Democratic Party, and he certainly doesn’t represent the viewpoints of almost every one of our candidates and our elected officials."

Fetterman also pointed to resolutions introduced by Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., as evidence of Democratic opposition to Israeli military aid. In April, 40 Senate Democrats voted to block a sale of bulldozers to Israel, and 36 supported blocking a sale of bombs. These resolutions did not pertain to Iron Dome funding, which Fetterman had previously cited as defensive assistance to Israel.