Sen. John Fetterman called formal recognition of a Palestinian state "an absolute betrayal" during an interview on Fox News, saying it could increase risks to Jewish communities. His comments came hours after a Hanukkah event in Australia was attacked, killing 11 people and wounding dozens. Sen. Lindsey Graham made similar remarks, criticizing Western governments that have recognized Palestine and urging tougher action against radical Islam. The BBC reported that Hamas revised parts of its 1988 charter in 2017 to soften some language.
Fetterman Calls Recognizing A Palestinian State An 'Absolute Betrayal' After Deadly Australia Attack
Sen. John Fetterman (D-PA) on Sunday forcefully rejected calls to formally recognize a Palestinian state alongside Israel, calling such recognition an "absolute betrayal" that he warned could put Jewish communities at greater risk.
Fetterman made the remarks on Fox News' Sunday Morning Futures With Maria Bartiromo, speaking hours after a Hanukkah gathering in Australia was attacked, leaving 11 people dead and dozens more injured.
What He Said
Asked whether he agreed with Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC) — who had argued that recognizing a Palestinian state would amount to honoring Hamas and endanger Jews — Fetterman replied:
"Absolutely. It's an absolute betrayal for Israel and for the worldwide Jewish community."
Fetterman added: "Whether it's France or Australia or any of these nations, our Western allies now calling for a two-state solution, when Hamas refuses to disarm and are actively trying to kill Jews — I can't imagine why anybody would do that at this point. That is not the appropriate reward after 10/7." He also described antisemitism as "a worldwide scourge, and it's constantly demonstrated to be deadly," citing the Australian attack as the latest example.
Graham's Comments And Context
Earlier on the same broadcast, Sen. Lindsey Graham sharply criticized Western governments — including France, the United Kingdom and Canada — that have formally recognized Palestine. Graham said:
"To every western government who's recognized a Palestinian state, you're rewarding killing Jews. It's the most irresponsible decision I can imagine... So I would urge the west to get tougher on radical Islam."
The BBC has noted that Hamas' original 1988 charter included explicit calls against Jews; the movement issued a revised political document in 2017 that removed some of the explicitly anti-Jewish language in an effort to soften its international image.
Why This Matters
The exchange highlights intense debate in Western capitals about how to respond to the Israel-Hamas war and whether formal recognition of a Palestinian state at this time could be interpreted as political reward — a position voiced by some U.S. lawmakers following deadly attacks on civilians.
Watch the full segment on Fox News' Sunday Morning Futures for the interview and additional context.
