Fetterman: ‘The Democratic Party Must Confront Its Own Rising Antisemitism Problem’

Sen. John Fetterman is once again sounding the alarm about “rising antisemitism” in the Democratic Party, insisting the party must confront the growing problem.

The Pennsylvania Democrat was responding to the announcement by state Supreme Court Justice David Wecht that he was leaving the party over the “disturbingly common” acceptance of “Jew-hatred” even by elected Democrat officials.

Wecht in his statement had declared that “the Democratic Party has changed.”

“Nazi tattoos, jihadist chants, intimidation and attacks at synagogues, and other hateful anti-Jewish invective and actions are minimized, ignored, and even coddled,” Wecht shared. “Acquiescence to Jew-hatred is now disturbingly common among activists, leaders and even many elected officials in the Democratic Party.”

“I know David and his legendary father, Cyril,” Fetterman said on X. “As I’ve affirmed, I’m not changing my party—but I fully understand David’s personal choice. The Democratic Party must confront its own rising antisemitism problem.”

Fetterman’s Almost Solitary Voice

This is not the first time Fetterman has criticized his party over antisemitism. In an April interview with CNN, he said that while he is “proud to stand with Israel,” roughly 80% of his fellow Democrats “view Israel in a negative way.”

Fetterman specifically cited Maine Senate candidate Graham Platner sporting a tattoo with a Nazi SS Totenkopf symbol and—as Jewish Insider recently reported—repeatedly praising Hamas’ tactics in a 2014 Reddit post about the terrorist group “beating and torturing” Israeli soldiers. “From a strictly professional standpoint,” Platner had written, “this was a damn fine looking and successful raid against a superior opponent. I dig it.” Platner announced in October 2025 that he had covered the tattoo which he had since 2007, saying he had not known it was a Nazi symbol.

“I mean, the guy that’s going to win the primary in Maine has a Nazi tattoo on his chest and now that’s no problem for a lot of voters,” Fetterman said. “I don’t know why. That’s crazy. I mean, if you’re back over 12, 13 years, cheering about the death of Israeli soldiers, I mean, you clearly have a serious issue, and the Left has a serious issue with antisemitism.”

Last December, after 15 people were massacred at a Hanukkah celebration at Australia’s Bondi Beach, Fetterman condemned what he called a “rot within the American Left” that has allowed antisemitism to fester.

“Here in my own party, I’ve been incredibly disappointed. People are trying to pretend these kinds of words and terms like, from the river to the sea, or to globalize the Intifada, and all those other things,” Fetterman told journalist Greta Van Susteren, “we all know what this means. And I refuse to pander to that. And, for me, it’s been a rot within the American Left and within my party.”

Fetterman’s latest warning came the same day a crowd of masked pro-Palestinian and Muslim protesters swarmed yet another synagogue in New York City, this time in a Flatbush Jewish neighborhood, to try and block an event promoting real estate in Israel.

Last week, a similar incident took place at a Manhattan synagogue.

Fetterman “Increasingly Lonely”

Fetterman’s stances on Israel, Iran, border security, violent rhetoric, and government shutdowns has left him at odds with the Democratic Party. The senator admitted on “Real Time with Bill Maher” that he feels “increasingly lonely” as a moderate Democrat.

“I thought we were supposed to be a big tent party,” Fetterman told Maher. “I’m not really sure how I become an issue for any of the Democrats, just having some different views in these other issues.”

He also blasted the party’s move toward socialism and communism, saying Democrats are moving down a “dangerous and slippery slope.”

Fetterman said, “I’ve spoke to people that had to live under socialism and or communism, and they are like they are morons if they think that socialism is the answer.”