WASHINGTON — Sen. John Fetterman’s unexpected alliance with Benjamin Netanyahu shows no signs of fading.
The Pennsylvania Democrat once again split from many in his own party Wednesday, offering warm praise for the Israeli prime minister during a private one-on-one meeting.
“You’ve been a stellar patriot, talking about what is good for America, what is good for our alliance, of which you’ve been a champion,” Netanyahu told Fetterman, according to a transcript released by the prime minister’s office.
Netanyahu went further, applauding the senator for “telling it like it is, with no fear,” and for what he described as an “indefatigable and courageous commitment to the truth.”
Fetterman, who has repeatedly angered progressives by forcefully backing Israel in the aftermath of Hamas’ Oct. 7, 2023, terrorist attack, responded with praise of his own.
“Mr. Prime Minister, it was a supreme honor of my time here in the Senate,” Fetterman said. “I’m proud to stand with and for the vision and what Israel is, the miracle that Israel is.”
The Pennsylvania senator also used the moment to criticize members of his own party, arguing that Democrats have grown increasingly antagonistic toward a key US ally.
“It’s been disappointing, as a Democratic politician, how our party continues to behave,” Fetterman said, while taking aim at New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani over his recent remarks calling for Netanyahu to be arrested as a “war criminal.”
“Now I think, as far as I know, I was the only Democrat that was proud to push that trash back,” the senator added. “I’m proud to stand with Israel through everything.”
The meeting underscored Fetterman’s growing political isolation inside a Democratic Party where criticism of Netanyahu’s government has become increasingly popular since the war in Gaza.
Netanyahu praised the senator’s willingness to stand apart from his colleagues, telling him that “history will record your contribution to truth and justice.”
Fetterman, for his part, said he has no intention of changing course.
“I’m proud to remain the conscience of the Democratic Party in Congress,” he said.
“It’s always been a just war for me,” Fetterman continued. “I don’t understand how we’ve arrived with where we are politically, at least in my party, but I have no regrets.”
