Pennsylvania Sen. John Fetterman suggested Sunday that he could consider leaving the Democratic Party to become an independent if it officially adopts a stance against providing military aid to Israel.
Speaking on CNN’s “State of the Union” with anchor Jake Tapper, Fetterman addressed the widening internal divide within the party over Middle East policy following a recent U.S. House vote. In that vote, 103 of 212 House Democrats supported a measure to cut off more than $3 billion in military aid to Israel. Notable figures voting for the cuts included former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi.
Asked at what point he would view the Democratic Party as overtly anti-Israel, Fetterman said it would depend on whether those views become the party’s official stance.
“If that becomes the Democratic platform—that we will now never vote for any aid and will turn our back on Israel—then that forces me to make that decision [of] what a Democrat should stand for,” Fetterman said.
Fetterman noted that changing his party registration would not alter his voting record or political views, calling the potential move “more of a statement” about the direction of the party. He cited primary campaigns in Pennsylvania, New York, and Colorado where candidates have centered their platforms on criticisms describing Israel as a “genocidal state” or an “apartheid state”.
Addressing comments made earlier on the show by Michigan Democratic candidate Dr. Abdul El-Sayed—who expressed criticism of the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) while maintaining that supporters of Israel remain welcome in the Democratic Party—Fetterman argued that the party is growing increasingly hostile toward a key American ally.
While Fetterman stated it is “entirely appropriate to be pro-Palestinian” and expressed sympathy for innocent civilians, he criticized progressive groups and primary candidates for refusing to support defensive systems like the Iron Dome or credit the elimination of Hamas, Hezbollah, and Iranian leaders.
“Eliminating Hamas leadership, eliminating Hezbollah leadership, or Iran—that makes things safe and more just, and that’s entirely appropriate views,” Fetterman said.
Fetterman did not set a specific threshold or timeline for when he might leave the party, but maintained that the ongoing shift in rhetoric and policy positions could make his continued membership as a Democrat untenable.
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