US Democrat threatens leave party if it picks Senate leader hostile to Israel

US Senator John Fetterman has declared he may abandon the Democratic Party if it nominates a Senate leader critical of Israel. Fetterman, elected in 2022, has clashed with the party on key issues like Iran's war and data centers. He told Fox News that he would reconsider his role in the Democratic Party if Chris Van Hollen, a Senate leader with a hostile stance towards Israel, became majority leader.

Van Hollen has criticized Israeli policies and the administration's approach to military aid to Israel. Fetterman's potential defection would be less impactful due to the Democrats' recent midterm victory, which secured them a Senate majority of at least 55. In November 2024, Fetterman expressed opposition to a Gaza ceasefire and criticized the Biden administration's threat to restrict weapons transfers to Israel.

He also backed strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities and warned of leaving the Democrats if they became officially anti-Israel. Fetterman, a Palestinian-American, is seeking re-election in 2028, with Ahmed Moor, a fellow Palestinian-American, challenging him in the Democratic primary.