John Fetterman threatens to quit Democratic Party if next Senate leader is critical of Israel

John Fetterman said he might leave the Democratic Party if Senate Democrats elect a leader he sees as hostile to Israel, naming Chris Van Hollen as a concern. The Pennsylvania senator has not decided what he would do if Van Hollen became majority leader, but his comments highlight tensions within the party over its leadership and approach to Israel.

Democrats won 55 Senate seats in the midterm elections, giving them a majority that would not depend on Fetterman’s support. Van Hollen has criticised Israel’s actions in Gaza, saying the destruction of civilian infrastructure and use of food as a weapon were intended to make the territory unliveable. The article also describes Fetterman’s close ties to Israel and reports from investigations into his staff, advisers and Senate work.