"Israel is not our country": The confrontation between Jon Stewart and the Senator
Jewish-American comedian Jon Stewart engaged in a heated debate with Senator John Fetterman on his podcast regarding the role of Israel in Democratic politics. While Stewart questioned why Israel serves as a "red line" for the party, Fetterman maintained that history warns against turning one's back on the Jewish community.
Jewish-American comedian Jon Stewart, known as a sharp critic of Israel who has frequently spoken out against the ongoing conflict, revisited the topic this Wednesday while hosting pro-Israel Senator John Fetterman on his podcast, The Weekly Show.
In recent months, Americans have been primarily focused on the upcoming midterm elections, and Israel has emerged as a contentious issue within the political discourse. During the interview, Stewart asked the Senator from Pennsylvania why Israel has become a "red line" for Republicans and Democrats on the left, even clarifying: "This is not our country."
Stewart argued that many candidates who align with Fetterman on key economic and political issues are being sidelined. He asked: "If they don't agree with you on the issue of Israel, then you don't want them on your side?" Fetterman replied by asking for specific examples.
When Stewart named Dr. Abdul El-Sayed, a progressive candidate who recently won the Senate primary in Michigan, as well as Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Senator Bernie Sanders, Fetterman responded: "What I am saying is that if you are a member of the DSA (Democratic Socialists of America), if you are a member of a specific political party, run under your own flag." He argued that socialists should not run as Democratic candidates.
"It's just an organization, we have a two-party system. It's like the members of the 'Freedom Caucus' (HFC) within the Republican Party," Stewart replied. He added that even New York State Assembly member Zohran Mamdani is identified with the DSA, yet there are clauses in the organization's platform that he does not agree with. "I assume there are things in the Democratic platform that you don't agree with, but you don't disavow everything. You are literally saying 'we can talk about everything, except Israel.' Since it's not America, that seems like a strange line to draw."
Later in their discourse, Fetterman rejected the claim:
"I don't think it's strange. I think history shows that when people turn their back on the Jewish community, things end very badly."
Stewart interrupted, stating, "The Jewish community and Israel are not the same thing," but Fetterman remained firm: "I will always stand with Israel, and I will always vote and support whatever is required to defend themselves and to prosecute Hamas, Hezbollah, and also Iran."
The comedian then asked: "You think the left is pro-Iran, not the country but the regime?" Fetterman responded: "What I am saying is that if someone in the Democratic Party is okay with the fact that Iran is building a nuclear bomb, I don't agree with them."
