Sen. Fetterman Criticizes Democrats for Failing to Condemn Iran's Attack on Israel

Sen. John Fetterman, D-Penn., has criticized his Democratic colleagues for failing to condemn Iran's drone attack on Israel, which marked a major escalation in tensions amid the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict. More than a dozen House Democrats voted against a resolution condemning Iran for the attack, which was seen as a response to Israel's bombing of its Syrian consulate.

Fetterman expressed disbelief that members of his party refused to condemn Iran, "one of the world's leading terrorism sponsors," for launching hundreds of drones against Israel, a "special ally" of the U.S. "I never thought I'd see the day when members of my own party would refuse to condemn Iran," Fetterman said.

The resolution condemning Iran's attack on Israel passed overwhelmingly in the House, with only 14 members voting against it. Among those who opposed the measure were prominent Democrats like Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Rashida Tlaib, and Ilhan Omar. House Majority Whip Tom Emmer, R-Minn., criticized the Democrats, saying their "hatred for Israel runs so deep they would rather defend terrorists than support our strongest ally in the Middle East."

Fetterman has been a vocal supporter of Israel and has clashed with members of his own party over the issue. He has repeatedly expressed his fervent support for Israel and criticized anti-Israel agitators. Fetterman's criticism of his party's stance on the issue reflects the ongoing debate within the Democratic Party over foreign policy and support for Israel.

Why this matters: The attack and the divided response in Congress highlight the escalating tensions in the Middle East and the challenges facing U.S. foreign policy in the region. The Democratic Party's internal divisions over Israel could have implications for future policy decisions and alliances.

The attack itself caused little damage, as almost all the missiles and drones were intercepted by Israeli air defenses. However, it took the clandestine war between Israel and Iran to a different level, with Iran responding to an April 1 strike on the Iranian Embassy complex in Damascus, Syria, which killed seven officers overseeing Iran's operations in the Middle East. Israeli officials have signaled that they will respond to the drone attack, while Iranian leaders have warned of a forceful reaction if Israel retaliates.

Key Takeaways

• Sen. Fetterman criticized Dem colleagues for not condemning Iran's drone attack on Israel.
• Only 14 House Dems voted against a resolution condemning Iran for the attack.
• Fetterman is a vocal supporter of Israel, clashing with anti-Israel members of his party.
• The attack highlights escalating tensions in the Middle East and challenges for U.S. foreign policy.
• Israel and Iran's clandestine war has escalated, with both sides warning of retaliation.