SouthernWorldwide.com – Following recent clashes outside New York City synagogues and the departure of a Pennsylvania Supreme Court justice from the Democratic Party, Senator John Fetterman of Pennsylvania has urged his party to address the “rising antisemitism problem.”
Fetterman echoed sentiments previously expressed by Justice David Wecht, who announced his decision to leave the Democratic Party due to what he described as the party’s “acquiescence to Jew-hatred.” While Fetterman stated he has no intention of switching parties himself, he acknowledged understanding Wecht’s choice.
In a social media post, Fetterman declared, “The Democratic Party must confront its own rising antisemitism problem.” This statement came after Fetterman had already voiced strong criticism earlier in May regarding anti-Israel mobs that clashed with police in New York City, labeling them “Pro-Hezbollah / Hamas s(—)heads.”
The past week has seen two separate incidents where mobs have confronted police outside synagogues in New York City.
The most recent event occurred on Monday night. Agitators, three of whom were arrested by the NYPD, gathered near the Young Israel Senior Services of Midwood. This location was hosting an event that was advertising real estate opportunities in Israel, according to reports from local media.
Videos shared on social media and reports from the Combat Antisemitism Movement indicated the presence of Hezbollah flags, chants of “Zionism will fall,” and a banner featuring the red inverted triangle commonly used by Hamas to mark Israeli targets.
Following an earlier clash in May outside a different New York City synagogue that was also hosting an Israeli real estate event, Fetterman took to social media platform X to express his dismay. He wrote, “Mob of Pro-Hezbollah / Hamas s(—)heads raging against law enforcement and terrorizing the NYC Jewish community near a synagogue and day care. Where’s my party’s condemnation?”
A counterprotester at one of the recent Brooklyn clashes told Spectrum News New York, “There’s a synagogue here. This is clearly a Jewish neighborhood, and they deserve the right to worship in peace.”
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In his statement announcing his departure from the Democratic Party, Justice David Wecht noted that while antisemitism has long been present on the political right, “that same hatred has grown on the left.” He criticized party leaders for their perceived failure to effectively combat this issue.
Wecht did not name specific individuals or incidents but alluded to pro-Palestinian protests and “attacks at synagogues.” He also appeared to reference a controversy involving U.S. Senate candidate Graham Platner in Maine, who faced scrutiny over a tattoo resembling Nazi insignia.
After Justice Wecht announced his intention to leave the Democratic Party, Senator Fetterman shared his thoughts on social media. He posted, “I know David and his legendary father, Cyril. As I’ve affirmed, I’m not changing my party—but I fully understand David’s personal choice.”
Fetterman reiterated his stance in an op-ed published in The Washington Post earlier in May. In the piece, he stated that he had found it “increasingly lonely” within the Democratic Party.
He criticized the party for its perceived disdain for “once-common views,” attributing this shift to “catering to the fringe and agitated parts of our base.”
In April, speaking on “Life, Liberty & Levin,” Fetterman discussed his growing divergence from the Democratic Party, particularly concerning issues related to Israel. He highlighted that he was one of the few Democrats to support Operation Epic Fury, the joint U.S.-Israeli military campaign against Iran.
Despite these public acknowledgments of his differing views, Fetterman explicitly stated in his Washington Post op-ed that he has “no plans to leave” the Democratic Party.
He concluded the editorial by noting, “Plus, I’d be a terrible Republican who still votes overwhelmingly with Democrats.”
