Fetterman demands Hamas be 'neutralized,' slams attempts for 'artificial peace'
Sen. John Fetterman, D-Pa., declared Wednesday the 'sandbagging' of Israel has prevented any chances for peace in its war with Hamas. Sen. John Fetterman, D-Pa., has criticised efforts to reach a ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas war, which do not involve eliminating Hamas. This criticism came in response to a report on Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar's comment that Hamas has "the Israelis right where we want them." The U.S. has been urging Israel and Hamas to accept its ceasefire proposal, which involves the withdrawal of Israeli troops, a hostage-prisoner exchange and reconstruction of Gaza. Secretary of State Antony Blinken supports the proposal, but Fettermen believes military means are not sufficient and there should be a clear political plan to ensure Hamas does not resume control of Gaza and Israel can move forward towards more enduring security. Fetman has been critical of President Joe Biden's support for Israel and his Democratic colleagues' actions regarding Iran's missile attack on Israel.
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Sen. John Fetterman, D-Pa., on Wednesday condemned efforts to reach a ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas war which don't involve eliminating the terrorist group.
The senator's criticism came in response to a Wall Street Journal report on a remark from Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar. Sinwar is quoted in the article has saying Hamas has "the Israelis right where we want them."
The U.S. has been urging Israel and Hamas to accept its ceasefire proposal announced last month. The proposal would involve the withdrawal of Israeli troops, a hostage-prisoner exchange and the reconstruction of Gaza. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said on Monday that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu supports it.
“We also believe strongly that while military means have been necessary, they’re not sufficient, and there has to be a clear political plan, a clear humanitarian plan, in order to ensure that Hamas does not in any way, shape, or form resume control of Gaza and that Israel can move forward toward more enduring security,” Blinken told reporters.
Sen. Fetterman has been a vocal critic of President Joe Biden’s weakened support for Netanyahu in recent months. The senator last month denounced Biden's decision to pause weapons shipments to Israel over concerns they would be used to invade the southern Gaza city of Rafah.
“I strongly disagree with this decision and it should be immediately reversed,” Sen. Fetterman said at the time. “If there are any restrictions, it should be on Hamas, its enablers, and benefactors.”
READ MORE | GOP senator says Fetterman proves how 'radical' Dems have become on Israel: 'Nuts'
The actions of Sen. Fetterman’s Democratic colleagues have also frustrated him. In April, he expressed outrage after 13 House Democrats voted against a resolution condemning an Iranian missile attack on Israel.
On Friday, the senator told comedian Bill Maher that Hamas’ Oct. 7 attack factored into his split from some Democrats.
“After it happened on Oct. 7, I really knew that that whole progressive stack would be blasted apart,” Sen. Fetterman said. “I really decided early on that I believed that I was going to be on the right side with Israel throughout all of that, and I knew Democrats would continue to peel away and kind of walk away from standing with Israel on that.”
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