Senator Fetterman opposes Hollen as US Senate Democrats leader citing Israel

US Senator John Fetterman expressed on Saturday the possibility of withdrawing from his Democratic Party if the next Senate leader is deemed insufficiently supportive of Israel. He targeted Chris Van Hollen, a vocal critic of Israel, who challenged Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer for the leadership position. Van Hollen called for new leadership following the voters' preference for change during the recent midterm elections.

Fetterman stated in a Fox News interview that it would be "troubling" if the caucus elected someone like Van Hollen, known for his hostile stance towards Israel. The Pennsylvania senator has backed Israel's actions in Gaza, describing them as a strategic effort to oust Palestinians from the region. Van Hollen alleged that the Israeli government is using food as a weapon of war in Gaza and warned that these policies constitute a calculated attempt to force Palestinians out of the territory, making departure impossible due to the eradication of life-sustaining conditions.

Fetterman, who has visited Israel multiple times and met with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu numerous times, emphasized that he has not yet decided on his course of action if Van Hollen assumes the majority leadership role.