Sen. Fetterman Likens Palestine Protests to Charlottesville
Senator John Fetterman (D-Pa.) has sparked outrage by comparing pro-Palestine protests spreading across American universities to the deadly 2017 white supremacist rally in Charlottesville, Virginia.
Fetterman’s remarks specifically targeted an ongoing protest at Columbia University dubbed the “Gaza Solidarity Encampment.”
Student protesters are demanding that the university divest all finances from corporations profiting from “Israeli apartheid, genocide, and occupation in Palestine.”
Fetterman’s comments drew immediate backlash, with critics accusing him of invoking the memory of a horrific tragedy to justify his political stance.
The protests have raised concerns about antisemitism on college campuses, with some users pointing to videos of protesters chanting in favor of Hamas and armed resistance to Israeli forces.
However, other posters pushed back against the narrative that pro-Palestine protesters were out of control, showcasing images and videos of Jewish students celebrating Shabbat at the Columbia encampment.
Despite his progressive image, Fetterman has maintained a steadfastly pro-Israel line, leading to speculation that his latest comments may be influenced by external factors.
