US Senator Fetterman struggles to defend support for Israel as progressives win big

US Senator Fetterman struggles to defend support for Israel as progressives win big Submitted by MEE staff on Thu, 08/06/2026 - 17:17 In what was at times a bizarre exchange with TV host Jon Stewart, Fetterman pivoted to exaggerated or unrelated talking points Pennsylvania Democratic Senator John Fetterman, right, speaks to television host and podcaster Jon Stewart on The Weekly Show with Jon Stewart, on 4 August 2026 (Screengrab) Off The staunchly pro- Israel Democratic Senator John Fetterman has told television host and podcaster Jon Stewart that he would rather lose support in his own party than turn his back on Israel for any reason. The comments are striking because they come at a time when progressive Democrats who are vocal on Palestinian rights are making substantial election gains around the country. On Wednesday, in the key battleground state of Michigan , Abdul El-Sayed beat out a pro-Israel candidate funded by the American Israel Public Affairs Committee, moving one step closer to becoming the first Muslim senator in US history.