Florida Democrats push to cancel Fetterman speech due to his support for Israel

Florida’s progressive Democratic caucus this week called on the Florida Democratic Party to cancel Sen. John Fetterman’s (D., Pa.) keynote speech at its 2024 Leadership Blue gala over his support for Israel since Hamas’s Oct. 7 terrorist attack.

“The [Florida Democratic Party] must heed the calls of its constituents and cancel Fetterman’s keynote speech, demonstrating a commitment to amplifying the voices of the oppressed and pursuing a path toward peace and justice for all,” the Democratic Progressive Caucus of Florida wrote in a Wednesday letter to the state party.

The progressive Democrats said Fetterman was “once touted as a progressive champion” but “has betrayed the trust of his constituents by swiftly pivoting away from the platform he was elected on.”

“His recent statements and actions, particularly regarding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, stand in stark contrast to the values of equality, justice, and peace that his supporters stand for,” the letter added, condemning Fetterman’s “unwavering support for Israel’s actions” and accusing him of “[aligning] with Republican donors and [adopting] inflammatory rhetoric.”

“The FDP’s decision to provide a platform for John Fetterman, despite his abandonment of progressive values and alignment with divisive rhetoric, is a direct affront to the principles of democracy and justice,” the Wednesday letter read.

Fetterman has been a vocal supporter of Israel in its fight against Hamas terrorists since the Oct. 7 attack, which he described as “a wide-scale, premeditated, cowardly, terrorist campaign against Israeli civilians that also claimed the lives of American citizens.”

“I unequivocally support any necessary military, intelligence, and humanitarian aid to Israel,” Fetterman said in a statement following the Hamas attack. “The United States has a moral obligation to be in lockstep with our ally as they confront this threat. I also fully support Israel neutralizing the terrorists responsible for this barbarism.”

The Pennsylvania senator in October slammed fellow Democrats for believing in Hamas propaganda surrounding a hospital explosion in Gaza. Both President Joe Biden and U.S. intelligence later affirmed Israel’s evidence showing the blast was caused by a misfired rocket from Gaza rather than an Israeli airstrike.

“It’s truly disturbing that Members of Congress rushed to blame Israel for the hospital tragedy in Gaza,” Fetterman wrote on X. “Who would take the word of a group that just massacred innocent Israeli civilians over our key ally?”