What We Can Learn From John Fetterman

In April of 2022, while running for the US Senate, John Fetterman made it very clear to Jewish Insider that “whenever I’m in a situation to be called on to take up the cause of strengthening and enhancing the security of Israel or deepening our relationship between the United States and Israel, I’m going to lean in.”

Fast forward a year and a half, and Fetterman, now senator from Pennsylvania, remained true to his word with his steadfast support for Israel since October 7th. He displays in his office posters of the hostages and affirms that Hamas is to blame for the conflict and its consequences, including the “heartbreaking” humanitarian situation in Gaza. “Stop pretending Hamas has any interest in true peace,” Fetterman wrote. “I remain standing with Israel in its right to eradicate Hamas and strongly reject any international pressure, interference, or commentary.”

Fetterman may be considered to the right of his party when it comes to his position on Israel. But beyond that, what is most compelling is his boldness and strong adherence to his convictions.

At Yeshiva University’s commencement ceremony this year, Fetterman was awarded the Presidential Medallion for Global Leadership. He humbly remarked that “I’m just a senator with a big mouth that happens to be committed to standing with Israel.” Fetterman is both right and wrong on that front. Maybe he just happens to possess the right combination of loudness and moral clarity. But for supporters of Israel, his outspokenness means so much more.

Many see in Fetterman a prominent and fierce voice from someone who genuinely seems to care. YU President Ari Berman expressed admiration for how Fetterman proudly and publicly stands up for the Jewish people, and he commended his “commitment to do the right thing regardless of whether it’s popular.”

It is really this unyielding commitment to what he believes is right that makes Fetterman so admirable, and so visible aside from his tall stature. And the Democratic senator channels this same fervor when he supports Kamala Harris for president and his party more broadly.

Fetterman is out there “fighting for every vote in every county,” as he put it, to ensure Harris wins his state, Pennsylvania. This close election is likely going to be decided in his state, so if Harris becomes president, Fetterman will be among a handful of people who truly helped make it happen.

Yes — the same guy who drapes the Israeli flag around himself; the same guy who waves the flag at anti-Israel protesters; the same guy who YU’s president says is “perhaps the single greatest friend on Capitol Hill to the state of Israel, the Jewish people, and to all people of good conscience;” could very well play a key role in a Harris win.

Some looking to score political points may try to exploit the fact that Democrats are more likely to criticize the current Israeli government. But Fetterman’s prominence is an inconvenient truth that poses a difficulty to those trying to sway voters away from his party. He serves as a testament to the wide range of pro-Israel perspectives that exist in the Democratic and pro-Harris coalition, which includes highly vocal advocates in addition to himself, such as New York Congressman Ritchie Torres, Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro, and New Jersey Senator Cory Booker (who happened to be in Israel on October 7th), among many others.

Fetterman’s support for Israel is also in lockstep with his valuing democracy. This is reflected in his position on the Russia-Ukraine war: “If you can’t support Ukraine right now, that’s un-American and you’re not standing up for democracy.” He has condemned threats to democracy at home as well.

Fetterman’s consistency is only further demonstrated by his support for democratic Israel. In the earlier mentioned Jewish Insider interview during his campaign for Senate, Fetterman praised the “special relationship” between the United States and Israel and a “shared set of democratic values that are really essential to securing a lasting peace in the region.”

Ultimately, Fetterman reminds us that support for Harris, the Democratic party, and democracy more broadly is most consistent with strong pro-Israel convictions, which are held by instrumental players in Harris’s campaign. In this unique election cycle, they are joined by many prominent pro-Israel Republicans and conservatives as well.

Considering the praise Fetterman has received for his unwavering willingness to fight for what’s right, he can also serve as an indicator of the proper path to take and a source of inspiration for the many of us who don’t fit neatly into prefixed categories and are looking to fully realize our own worldview for which we, too, can apply his kind of passion.

In a time of so much uncertainty, with apparent moral bankruptcy among many activists and politicians, we should treasure those in prominent positions who are genuine and unwilling to compromise their values. John Fetterman is one shining example.