Sen. John Fetterman (D-Pa.) said he would leave the Democratic Party if it abandons Israel, a move that could have significant implications and reshape the balance of power in the Senate.
Fetterman said that he has grown increasingly frustrated by the way his party “continues to turn its back to Israel,” and warned that turning its back on the United States’ longtime ally would be the one reason he would leave the party.
Fetterman’s comments come after more than half the House Democrats voted Wednesday to strip $3.3 billion in U.S. aid from Israel. Nearly as many Democrats opposed it. Republicans overwhelmingly opposed the measure.
“If they put that in our platform—no aid for Israel—and officially become the anti-Israel party, then yeah, that’s a red line for me,” said Fetterman.
Notably, Fetterman did not say whether he would switch party affiliation to the Republican or become an independent and continue to caucus with the Democrats.
House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries opposed the measure and said “that for the good of Israel and the Palestinian people, American policy in the Middle East must change.”
The vote exposed divisions within the House Democratic leadership on an issue widely viewed as an early test of party unity ahead of the midterm elections, which will determine control of Congress.
Fetterman has voted with Republicans on several high-profile issues, worked closely with some Republican senators, and became increasingly critical of the Democratic Party's direction on foreign policy.
“Democrats, we’ve always should support Israel. That’s our special ally, you know? In the only democracy in the entire region, that’s Israel. So I’m always proud to stand with Israel,” Fetterman said.