Sen. John Fetterman (D-PA) slammed college students involved in pro-Hamas protests on campuses across the U.S. over the last couple of weeks, saying that the “germ of antisemitism” was present.
Fetterman made the remarks on Sunday during an interview with NewsNation about the ongoing protests, many of which have turned violent and led to hundreds of arrests.
“It’s a great American value to protest, but I don’t believe living in a pup tent for Hamas is really helpful,” Fetterman said, adding that it was “very clear that there is a germ of antisemitism in all of these protests.”
Fetterman then highlighted anti-Semitic remarks made by one of the student leaders at Columbia University who said that “Zionists don’t deserve to live.”
He said that the way that the student spoke, and then their attempt to explain themselves, was similar to the kinds of rhetoric and excuses coming from the college presidents themselves which has created the toxic culture on their campuses.
“I support peace and I support a two-state solution. But you know, if the stuff hits the fan, I’m going to lean in on Israel. And that’s exactly what I’ve done,” he said. “Everyone has the right to defend yourself as a nation. But you also have the right, I believe, to go after and eliminate Hamas, or at least to force them to surrender.”
“Hamas could end it right now, immediately,” he added. “They could release the last hostage, and they could surrender and all of the misery and the death and the destruction ends right there too.”
Fetterman also said that the only way that peace would be achieved is for Hamas to be fully neutralized so they cannot repeat what they did on October 7.
WATCH:
“It’s a great American value to protest, but I don’t believe living in a pup tent for Hamas is really helpful,” @JohnFetterman, D-Pa., told NewsNation’s Chris Stirewalt on #TheHillSunday as he addressed the increase of pro-Palestinian protests on college campuses. pic.twitter.com/elhIQepmm5
— NewsNation (@NewsNation) April 28, 2024