Fetterman Slams Anti-Israel 'Rot' in Democratic Party

Pennsylvania senator rejects AOC's 'genocide' rhetoric, defends unconditional U.S. aid to Israel

Published on Feb. 15, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

Sen. John Fetterman, a Pennsylvania Democrat, harshly criticized what he called the growing anti-Israel wing of his party, rejecting Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez's suggestion that the U.S. should consider withholding aid to Israel. Fetterman dismissed Ocasio-Cortez's claim of a 'genocide' in Gaza and accused some Democrats of aligning themselves with 'raging antisemites' and 'pro-Hamas people' like Hasan Piker.

Why it matters

Fetterman's comments underscore a deepening divide within the Democratic Party over support for Israel, with many progressives pushing for stricter conditions on U.S. aid while Fetterman and other moderates defend Israel's right to receive unconditional assistance.

The details

In an interview on 'Saturday in America,' Fetterman said 'there was never any genocide in Gaza' and that 'there shouldn't ever be any conditions for aid for Israel, because they were in an existential war.' He accused some Democrats of aligning themselves with 'raging antisemites and very pro-Hamas people like Hasan Piker,' calling it 'a rot' in his party. Fetterman also questioned why Ocasio-Cortez has been more critical of Israel than of Iran's crackdown on protesters, in which over 5,800 people have been killed.

  • As of January 25, the Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA) reported more than 5,800 people had been killed during the Iranian government's crackdown on anti-regime protests.

The players

Sen. John Fetterman

A Democratic senator from Pennsylvania who has repeatedly broken with his party to defend Israel and criticize the growing anti-Israel sentiment among some progressives.

Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez

A Democratic representative from New York who has called for the U.S. to consider withholding aid to Israel, accusing the country of facilitating a 'genocide' in Gaza.

Hasan Piker

A political commentator and streamer who has been accused of making anti-Semitic remarks and expressing support for the Palestinian militant group Hamas.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“There was never any genocide in Gaza, absolutely, and there shouldn't ever be any conditions for aid for Israel, because they were in an existential war.”

— Sen. John Fetterman ('Saturday in America')

“Why would you align yourself [with] raging antisemites and very pro-Hamas people like Hasan Piker?”

— Sen. John Fetterman ('Saturday in America')

“There's a rot in my party standing with pro-Hamas people like that.”

— Sen. John Fetterman ('Saturday in America')

The takeaway

Fetterman's strong defense of Israel and criticism of the anti-Israel sentiment within his own party highlights the growing divide among Democrats over the U.S. relationship with Israel, with moderates like Fetterman pushing back against the more progressive wing's calls for conditioning aid or even withdrawing support.