Democrats were surprised to see one of their own standing with the GOP on this tragedy.
Sen. John Fetterman (D-Pa.) made waves in Washington this weekend after publicly siding with a Republican lawmaker and sharply criticizing members of his own party in the wake of a deadly terrorist attack during a Hanukkah celebration in Australia.
Appearing on Sunday Morning Futures, Fetterman said he agreed “with virtually everything” stated earlier by Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), who warned that recent international efforts to recognize a Palestinian state could strengthen Hamas at a time when antisemitic violence is rising worldwide.
Fetterman described the situation in stark terms, arguing that the timing of these diplomatic moves sends the wrong message.
“It’s an absolute betrayal of Israel and the Jewish community around the world,” he said, referring to Western nations pushing a two-state solution even as Hamas continues to reject disarmament and carries out attacks against civilians.
The Pennsylvania senator questioned why longtime U.S. allies would advance policies he believes risk rewarding extremist groups. He pointed to countries such as France and Australia, saying he could not understand why leaders would take such steps in the aftermath of deadly violence targeting Jewish communities.
Graham voiced similar concerns, accusing governments that have formally recognized a Palestinian state this year of legitimizing terror by acting now.
Australia, France, the United Kingdom, and Canada have all moved toward recognizing a Palestinian state in recent months. Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney defended the decision, saying it was meant to support long-term reconstruction following the Israel-Hamas war, not to endorse terrorism. The United States, however, has not formally recognized a Palestinian state.
Fetterman went further, delivering a rare rebuke of his own party. He said rhetoric hostile to Israel has increasingly found a place within Democratic politics.
“I can’t understand why so many people in my party hesitate or deflect when it comes to clearly condemning these horrific acts of terrorism,” Fetterman said. He warned that this trend risks alienating Jewish Americans and undermining long-standing U.S. alliances.
The senator, who has consistently taken a pro-Israel stance, also blamed the growth of antisemitism in the United States on social media, particularly among younger generations.
“Social media has become the breeding ground,” he said, arguing that online platforms are driving hostility toward Israel and the Jewish community.
Fetterman’s remarks followed a deadly attack at an annual Hanukkah celebration at Bondi Beach in Sydney. Gunfire broke out during the event, and Australian authorities say the Jewish community was deliberately targeted. The incident is being investigated as an act of terrorism.
Twelve people were killed, including one suspected attacker, and many others were injured.
Several top Democrats, including Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.), issued statements condemning the violence. Still, Fetterman’s blunt criticism of his own party — and his alignment with Republican concerns — marked a striking break from the usual partisan lines in Washington.