Senator Fetterman Criticizes Campus Protests for Hindering Middle East Peace

Sen. John Fetterman, D-Pa., condemned the anti-Israel rallies that have taken over college campuses throughout the country on Sunday, saying they are working against Middle East peace and that he is disappointed that those held captive by Hamas during the Oct. 7 attack on Israel are not being prioritized.

During an appearance on CBS’s “Face the Nation,” Fetterman, who has been vociferous against the demonstrators, questioned why they are marching against Israel rather than Hamas, which he claims has rejected a recent cease-fire arrangement.

“These kinds of protests haven’t been helpful, and ironically, they are actually working against peace in the Middle East as well,” said Fetterman. “It also seems unusual to me that they aren’t demanding for a cease-fire right now. There is a very valid cease-fire on the table right now, but Hamas has refused to accept it.”

“And I don’t know why if we’re going to protest, why aren’t we protesting that, demanding Hamas to take that kind of a cease-fire,” he went on to say. “And that would end all of the trauma and chaos going on there in Gaza.”

Fetterman went on to declare that he does not support imposing any restrictions on Israel, and that Hamas is solely responsible for the current situation. “The situation could end right now if Hamas just surrendered and they just sent all of those hostages home again,” the senator was quoted as saying. “That’s also something I’ve been frustrated about: those hostages should be at the forefront of discussions about the situation in Gaza.” Sending them home would put an end to all of this instantly.”

The Gaza conflict began after Hamas launched an offensive on Israel on October 7, killing 1,200 people and kidnapping approximately 250 others.