Sen. John Fetterman, a Democrat from Pennsylvania, recently visited Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and expressed his strong support for Israel. During the visit, Fetterman praised Israel’s covert operation in which it detonated pagers worn by Hezbollah terrorists in Lebanon. This action came before Israel killed Hassan Nasrallah, Hezbollah’s leader, and led to an Israeli ground invasion of Lebanon. Fetterman reiterated his support for Israel and demanded the release of all hostages taken by Hamas. He received a silver-plated beeper as a gift from Netanyahu, referencing the successful operation in Lebanon.
Fetterman has been vocal in his support for Israel, despite the Democratic Party’s criticism of Israel’s military operations in Gaza. He has demanded that Hamas release all remaining hostages, taking a firm stance in support of Israel. During his visit with Netanyahu, Fetterman presented the prime minister with a framed news article about an effort to memorialize Netanyahu’s brother, Yoni Netanyahu, a fallen Israeli soldier. Yoni Netanyahu is considered a hero in Israel and was killed during the 1976 Israeli raid in Entebbe, Uganda. In return, Netanyahu gifted Fetterman a silver-plated beeper as a symbolic gesture.
The beeper presented to Fetterman references Israel’s successful operation in September 2024, in which it detonated pagers used by Hezbollah members in Lebanon. This operation was followed by the killing of Hassan Nasrallah, the leader of Hezbollah, and led to an Israeli ground invasion of Lebanon that ended in a ceasefire in late November. Fetterman expressed his admiration for the operation and thanked Netanyahu for the gift. In a similar gesture, Netanyahu had previously gifted a gold-plated pager to President Donald Trump in February.
Fetterman’s visit to Israel and his strong support for the country have set him apart from the Democratic Party’s stance on Israel’s military operations. Despite criticism from within his party, Fetterman has maintained his solidarity with Israel and demanded the release of hostages held by Hamas. The exchange of gifts during his visit with Netanyahu, including the presentation of the framed news article and the gift of the silver-plated beeper, symbolizes the strong bond between Fetterman and Israel. This solidarity is further reinforced by Netanyahu’s previous gifting of a gold-plated pager to President Trump.
Overall, Fetterman’s visit to Israel and his interactions with Netanyahu highlight his unwavering support for the country and his admiration for Israel’s military operations. By praising the successful covert operation in Lebanon and demanding the release of hostages from Hamas, Fetterman has demonstrated his commitment to standing with Israel. The exchange of gifts between Fetterman and Netanyahu reflects a deepening relationship between the senator and the Israeli prime minister. Despite differing views within the Democratic Party, Fetterman continues to advocate for Israel and strengthen ties with key political figures in the region.
