Senator John Fetterman, a Democrat from Pennsylvania, has taken an unusual stand in his own party. He is calling on Hamas to accept the peace deal that President Donald Trump is pushing to bring an end to the Gaza war. As Israel continues its military campaign against Hamas, Fetterman is urging all sides to support a deal that could stop the bloodshed—but he’s also making something else clear: the protesters demanding a ceasefire are pointing their anger in the wrong direction.
Fetterman isn’t mincing words. He criticized the growing number of pro-Palestinian protesters in the U.S., especially those on college campuses, for failing to demand that Hamas accept peace. In a social media post, he wrote, “Good morning to everyone except all the protesters who aren’t protesting for Hamas to accept the peace deal.” His comments shine a light on a key problem with the current public debate: many Americans are demanding peace, but few are holding the actual aggressors accountable.
Let’s remember how this started. On October 7, 2023, Hamas terrorists launched a surprise attack on Israel. They murdered civilians, raped women, and kidnapped children and elderly people. The violence was brutal and intentional. Israel responded with a military campaign to destroy Hamas’s ability to strike again. President Trump has since stepped in to negotiate a peace deal, hoping to secure the release of hostages and bring the war to an end.
According to statements on Trump’s Truth Social account, there have been signs that Hamas may be willing to discuss terms. But time is running out. Fetterman warned, “TIME IS OF THE ESSENCE OR, MASSIVE BLOODSHED WILL FOLLOW — SOMETHING THAT NOBODY WANTS TO SEE!”
This is a pivotal moment, not just for the Middle East, but for America’s role in the world. Our national security depends on a stable Middle East. Iran, which backs Hamas, has used the chaos to spread its influence. The longer the war drags on, the more likely it is that Iran or other terrorist groups will try to strike U.S. allies—or even U.S. forces in the region. President Trump is trying to stop that from happening. A peace deal that removes Hamas from the battlefield and frees the hostages would be a major win for global stability and American national interests.
Fetterman’s support for Israel also shows how divided the Democratic Party has become. While he stands with Israel, many in his party have accused the Jewish state of “ethnic cleansing.” Some Democrats in Congress have gone so far as to demand that the U.S. cut off military aid to Israel—one of our oldest allies in the region. Fetterman didn’t hold back. “My party’s ongoing and escalating betrayal of Israel is gross and outrageous,” he said.
This internal struggle inside the Democratic Party is not just about foreign policy. It’s about what kind of message the United States sends to the world. Do we stand by our allies when they are attacked by terrorists? Or do we fold under pressure from loud protests and radical voices?
The stakes are high. A weak or divided American response invites more aggression. Hamas, Hezbollah, and Iran all watch how we act. If they see hesitation, they will push harder. And the longer the war continues, the greater the risk to American troops and diplomats in the region.
President Trump’s efforts to broker a peace deal are a move in the right direction. But peace will only come if Hamas agrees to stop the violence. And that means Americans who truly want peace must start demanding that Hamas, not just Israel, take responsibility.
Senator Fetterman is right to speak out, even if it puts him at odds with many in his party. The U.S. must stand firm with Israel while pushing for a real peace—one that ends terrorism, frees hostages, and protects our national security. The time for moral clarity is now.