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

US Senator John Fetterman has warned that he may abandon the Democratic Party if his colleagues appoint a new Senate leader hostile to Israel. The 2022 election winner, who defeated Republican candidate Mehmet Oz, has previously clashed with the party over various issues, including the Iran war and data centers. During a recent Fox News interview, Fetterman confirmed that he would consider leaving the Democratic Party if Senator Chris Van Hollen, known for his anti-Israel stance, is elected majority leader.

Van Hollen has been a progressive challenger to the current Democratic leader, Chuck Schumer, advocating for a more aggressive approach against the Trump administration. Fetterman has also criticized Israeli policies and the administration's approach to US military aid to Israel. Despite these disagreements, the Democrats still hold a majority in the Senate, with at least 55 seats come January.

Fetterman recently opposed a Gaza ceasefire and criticized the Biden administration's threat to restrict weapons transfers to Israel. He backed strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities last year and warned that he would leave the Democrats if they became officially anti-Israel. Fetterman plans to seek re-election in 2028, facing a challenge from Ahmed Moor, a Palestinian-American writer born in Gaza's Rafah refugee camp.