John Fetterman travels to Israel, meets with Benjamin Netanyahu

JERUSALEM (WHTM) – Pennsylvania U.S. Senator John Fetterman traveled to Israel and met with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu amid Israel’s war with Hamas.

Fetterman has been a staunch supporter of Israel throughout the war despite many Democrats criticizing the Israeli government’s treatment of civilians in Gaza.

“We’ve been through dark times in these months of anguish war,” said Netanyahu on social media. “During that time, I can say that Israel has had no better friend than Senator John Fetterman. Senator, welcome to Israel.”

Netanyahu added “I want to thank you for your courageous statements that show moral clarity and moral courage and you just say it the way it is. We appreciate this friendship at all times but especially at these times. So welcome, friend.”

The Israeli Government Press Office released a video of Fetterman and Netanyahu on Wednesday afternoon that included comment from the Pennsylvania Senator.

“We stand with Israel through this,” said Fetterman. “And I’m so sorry for what’s been done to this nation, but just an honor to be here today.”

During a recent appearance on This Week in Pennsylvania with Dennis Owens, Fetterman said “I don’t know why it’s controversial to be a strong supporter of Israel, I’ve never understood that and I still don’t.”

Fetterman has also called the situation in Gaza, where officials say hundreds of thousands of people are on the brink of famine, “heartbreaking.”

“They started this,” Fetterman told USA Today in reference to Hamas. “They have designed this to maximize the kinds of destruction and death. They hide behind places like hospitals and civilians and schools and refugee camps. That’s how it’s been designed.”

Fetterman also received Yeshiva University’s Presidential Medallion for his leadership and support of Israel.

This is the second international trip Fetterman has made in recent weeks after traveling to Turks and Caicos to advocate for a Pennsylvania man and other Americans being detained for bringing ammunition into the island nation.