Sen. John Fetterman (D-PA), who has staunchly supported Israel’s right to defend itself in its war against Hamas, blasted Vice President Kamala Harris after she insinuated a threat against Israel if it pushed forward with an attack on Rafah, Hamas’ last stronghold.
Harris was interviewed on Sunday by Rachel Scott on ABC News’ “This Week,” where Scott prompted her by asking if Israel attacking Rafah would cross a “red line” for the Biden administration.
“We have been clear in multiple conversations and in every way that any major military operation in Rafah would be a huge mistake,” Harris said. “Let me tell you something, I have been studying the maps. There’s nowhere for those folks to go. And we’re looking at about 1.5 million people in Rafah who were there because they were told to go there, most of them. And so we’ve been very clear that it would be a mistake to move into Rafah with any type of military operation.”
When pressed about whether there would be consequences if Israel moves forward with eliminating Hamas inside Rafah, Harris responded: “Well, we’re going to take it one step at a time, but we’ve been very clear in terms of our perspective on whether or not that should happen.”
Scott again pushed Harris to answer the question.
“I am ruling out nothing,” Harris responded.
Fetterman fired back on X, “Hard disagree. Israel has the right to prosecute Hamas to surrender or to be eliminated. Hamas owns every innocent death for their cowardice hiding behind Palestinian lives.”
Hard disagree.
Israel has the right to prosecute Hamas to surrender or to be eliminated.
Hamas owns every innocent death for their cowardice hiding behind Palestinian lives. pic.twitter.com/tbid2eq7P4
— Senator John Fetterman (@SenFettermanPA) March 24, 2024
In late January, when anti-Israel protesters showed up at his home, Fetterman stood on his roof and waved an Israeli flag at them. In mid-January, Fetterman harshly denounced South Africa — which has a history of racial violence — for accusing Israel of genocide in its war against Hamas.
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South Africa accused Israel of genocide at the United Nations’ top court, the International Court of Justice. Eylon Levy, a spokesman for Israel, said Israel would send a legal team “to dispel South Africa’s absurd blood libel.”
“Who are … they really fighting?” Fetterman declared about Hamas at a luncheon hosted by the Orthodox Union. “It’s a group of cowards. They hide in tunnels; they hide behind civilians. They attack, kill, mutilate children, women; and they do that. Stop talking about proportion on that. They shot their best shot on October 7, and they would have taken more lives if they could have … but they couldn’t do it.”
Then he turned to South Africa’s accusation targeting Israel: “And now let’s also talk about that: Now we’re talking about genocide. And now, South Africa now, is bringing that kind of a trial. Maybe South Africa … ought to sit this one out when they’re talking about criticizing Israel. Sit it out!”
Related: Kamala Harris Threatens Biden Admin May Punish Israel For Finishing Off Hamas Inside Rafah
John Fetterman Responds When Anti-Israel Protesters Show Up At His House
‘Sit This One Out!’: Fetterman Blasts South Africa For Accusing Israel Of Genocide