In the aftermath of Hamas’ attack on Israel on October 7, Pennsylvania Senator John Fetterman was one of the few Democrats who came out in full support of Israel.
Following Hamas’ surprise attack on Israel on October 7, the Democratic senator stated he would “unequivocally support any necessary military, intelligence, and humanitarian aid to Israel.”
In a later statement, he reiterated his support for Israel, adding: “Now is not the time to talk about a ceasefire.”
Unlike his colleagues who believed and spread Hamas propaganda that Israel was responsible for a hospital bombing that killed civilians in Gaza, Fetterman said it was clear that Israel was not responsible.
John Fetterman on Gaza hospital:
"It’s clear that Israel was not responsible for the bombing. It was done by the same side that butchered innocent Israeli citizens. I don’t know how you can get more despicable." pic.twitter.com/qChfXukqXV
— Citizen Free Press (@CitizenFreePres) October 18, 2023
Fetterman’s stance sparked state-wide pro-Palestinian protests outside his offices, with hundreds of protesters gathering at the United States Custom House on Thursday.
Daniel Kovalik, a 55-year-old professor of international human rights, is among the many who have called on Fetterman to reconsider his position and demand an immediate ceasefire in Gaza.
Kovalik posted a video of himself confronting Fetterman about his stance on the Israel-Hamas war on X, formerly known as Twitter.
I just took on @JohnFetterman for his failure to support a ceasefire for #Gaza and was assaulted. Come see the violence inherent in the system. pic.twitter.com/QOTKHNAnfE
— Dan Kovalik (@danielmkovalik) October 29, 2023
From Newsweek:
In the video, Kovalik, who teaches at the University of Pittsburgh School of Law, asked the Democrat why he doesn’t support a humanitarian ceasefire in Gaza. After an off-camera person appeared to attempt to stop Kovalik from asking such questions, Kovalik said: “I can talk to him [Fetterman], I voted for him. I’m sorry, this is a democracy.”
“Ten thousand people in Gaza have been killed, half are children. The pope is calling for a ceasefire, the UN has called for it,” Kovalik said. “I’m just asking, you’re a good guy, I voted for you, I know you’re a nice guy, this is important,” the professor continued before being told by the same person off-camera that he needed to leave.
Fetterman, who had remained silent while listening to Kovalik, can be seen walking away as the professor is physically pushed out of the building.
The person taking the video, who keeps on filming, can be heard saying that the staff member who pushed Kovalik away had “just assaulted” him, as he was only talking to the senator.
“I just took on John Fetterman for his failure to support a ceasefire for Gaza and was assaulted. Come see the violence inherent in the system,” Kovalik wrote on X.
The clip has gone viral on the platform, receiving more than 2.8 million views.
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