Posted on 12/11/2023 9:28:32 PM PST by SeekAndFind
PITTSBURGH — Sen. John Fetterman, D-Penn., has emerged as one of the most reliable supporters of the Jewish community in his hometown, which is located a handful of miles from where the deadliest massacre of Jews happened in the Squirrel Hill neighborhood of Pittsburgh five years ago. This support is changing how many in the state see him.
David Knoll, a Pittsburgh-based businessman and Democrat who launched a last-minute quixotic challenge to local county councilwoman Bethany Hallam over her social media posts supporting antisemitism, said, “Fetterman has been better than anyone could have hoped, and honestly did not see that coming, but we welcome his support whole-heartedly.”
Knoll, who lives in Squirrel Hill, said what he especially loves is Fetterman’s refusal to cower to either the members of the media or members of their own party who are at odds with his staunch support of Israel.
Fetterman, in an interview with the Washington Examiner, said he is not concerned about falling in or out of some sort of political categorization. “I am not worried about labels or what people want to label me, I am about being clear where I stand, and I always have been,” he said in an emailed interview.
“I am on what I believe is the right side of this issue, I’m not concerned about a label. Israel is our key, closest ally, and we need to support them in this fight,” he said, adding, “if we want peace and we want a two-state solution, then Israel needs to be able to destroy Hamas.”
Fetterman said he fundamentally believes destroying Hamas is the only pathway to a real solution to this conflict, “And it’s not at all at odds with my other beliefs. Hamas has systematically used rape and murder as part of its war, brutalizing Israeli women. It’s horrifying. We cannot pretend that Hamas is a rational entity.”
Knoll said he and other members of the Jewish community here in Pittsburgh are deeply concerned by the recent antisemitic graffiti and vandalism that has happened in Squirrel Hill. Pro-Israel flags have even been burned in front of people’s houses.
Last week, there was an “unfounded” online threat made at an unnamed local synagogue that Pittsburgh police said they were still investigating.
Fetterman said he and his office unequivocally have their back. “We stand with you and support you. You have an ally in me, and please do not hesitate to reach out to my office if there is anything we can help you with,” he said.
One of the first things Fetterman did this past week was calling Michael Solomonov, a Pittsburgh native, chef and restaurateur, whose vegan falafel shop Goldie became the target of hundreds of agitated pro-Palestinian protesters who had gathered in Rittenhouse Square in Philadelphia, then took their march down Sansom Street, chanting, “Goldie, Goldie you can’t hide. We charge you with genocide,” as they made their way toward Solomonov’s restaurant.
Organized by the Philadelphia Free Palestine Coalition, a Facebook post instructed supporters to “flood the streets” Sunday night, and they did, shouting antisemitic remarks and placing pro-Palestinian stickers on the doors of businesses along their route.
Fetterman said he talked with Michael to let him know he has his back. “The fact that an angry mob attacked a Jewish business is completely appalling and frankly shocking that this can even happen. Everyone needs to swiftly condemn what happened. I’ve spoken to a lot of different people from the Jewish community across Pennsylvania, and they are actually feeling?unsafe right now. And now, you have a mob?attacking a Jewish restaurant in downtown Philadelphia. It’s unacceptable.”
Oz was a celebrity. Trump thought celebrity wins?
Trump was pushing Oz.
I thought that electing a Muslim TV doctor/snake oil salesman named Mehmet Oz who served in the Turkish army, is a Turkish citizen and actually lives in New Jersey was going to be difficult in Deer Hunter country.
I'm certainly not a highly-paid political consultant, but I did not think that this was one of Trump's better ideas.
Meanwhile, we are seeing proof that as a liberal recovers from brain damage, they become more conservative.
“Meanwhile, we are seeing proof that as a liberal recovers from brain damage, they become more conservative.”
It’s just a temporary fluke that will be rectified (corrected) shortly.
Im a liking this guy?
Fetterman is more conservative than Dr. Oz, it appears.
Many people said the same about Joe the snake Manchin. When push came to shove, 99.99% of the time the snake got in line with his political mafia.
When Fetterman starts voting regularly against demonkkrap cabinet and judicial nominees, I’ll take a glance at him.
Alien abduction…
I’m going to have to repent from of my nasty statements about Fetterman. He’s starting to appear like the only democrat with principles
Which Fetterman is it?
Oz ran a terrible campaign. The whole buying “crudité at Wegners” – a store that does not exist and the how many houses do you own question was a complete debacle. And Fetterman had a very savvy media team that pounced on those and other Oz gaffs and selling “Let Them Eat Crudité” stickers.
BTW - I’ve never seen anyone put packaged guacamole and salsa on a “veggie tray” as we here in PA call it.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AOro25hUBNM
Fetterman is becoming the Stepford Senator
Fetterman like Biden gets his daily 3x5 card.
I like this guy—The Dems could do alot worse than Fetterman for President (they have).
Before you get carried away, remember, his wife is a commie.
I call the process Hamascide.
The pacifist press erroneously calls it genocide.
Exterminating a decades old killer of innocents enemy is not genocide.
100%. Crap, even Obama said things that made sense, but voted like a left-wing lunatic!
It's like the scene at the end of Young Frankenstein, where Victor's dangerous procedure to calm the monster's brain succeeds - and you see the monster afterwards, wearing a robe and reclining on his bed while reading the newspaper and conversing normally. This turn of events is easily that absurd.
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