Fetterman blasts ‘germ of antisemitism’ in college protests, ‘living in a pup tent for Hamas’ not helpful

"I want to beryllium clear, location is simply a germ of antisemitism successful these protests, and sometimes it flares up. And again, including 1 of nan leaders successful Columbia who said immoderate conscionable atrocious things, talking astir ‘Well, they’re fortunate we’re not sidesplitting Zionists’ and things for illustration that, and he defends himself by saying, ‘Well, those were taken retired of context.’" 

"And I’m like, that’s very akin to nan measurement nan assemblage presidents, nan aforesaid benignant of language, and those benignant of monocultures that create situations and that replicates. And now it’s not a astonishment erstwhile you’re benignant of seeing this manifest itself successful a field for illustration this," Fetterman said. 

FETTERMAN HAMMERS 'A--HOLE' ANTI-ISRAEL PROTESTERS, SLAMS OWN PARTY FOR RESPONSE TO IRANIAN ATTACK: 'CRAZY'

Sen. John Fetterman walks to nan Senate enclosure astatine nan U.S. Capitol connected April 23, 2024. (Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images)

The legislator seemed to beryllium referencing Khymani James, a Columbia protestation leader who went viral online for suggesting nan execution of Zionists, whom he likened to "White supremacists" and "Nazis."

Fetterman reiterated support for Israel’s correct to take sides itself arsenic a nation, going further to opportunity nan Jewish authorities besides has nan correct "to spell aft and destruct Hamas, aliases astatine slightest unit them to surrender." 

An anti-Israel encampment astatine Columbia University persists for nan 2nd week connected April 27, 2024, astatine nan Ivy League school's New York City campus. (Selcuk Acar/Anadolu via Getty Images)

"I’m confused why we’re not talking astir that more," nan Pennsylvania Democrat said. "And if you are going to protest, why aren’t we protesting… I can’t extremity that war, Joe Biden can’t extremity that war, Netanyahu can’t end that war, but Hamas could extremity it correct now, immediately. They could merchandise nan past hostages, and they could surrender."

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"And each of nan misery and nan decease and demolition ends correct there, too. So, for existent peace, you cannot let Hamas to function," he added. "It’s very reasonable to make judge that Hamas needs to beryllium neutralized." 

Fetterman recalled really earlier nan primaries he said, "I support bid and I support a two-state solution, but if nan worldly hits nan fan, I’m going to thin successful connected Israel, and that’s precisely what I’ve done."

The "Gaza Solidarity Encampment" astatine Columbia University connected April 27, 2024. (Selcuk Acar/Anadolu via Getty Images)

Since enduring a stroke, Fetterman said he’s go much empathetic, particularly erstwhile it comes to group pinch disabilities. The legislator utilized a speech-to-text app connected a tablet sitting connected nan workplace array to amended comprehend questions during nan interview. 

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Nodding to newfound support from some Republicans, Fetterman added, "I’ve been saying that for years… I really don’t place myself arsenic progressive. It’s not that I’ve changed, but that that connection has changed."