Sens. Fetterman and McCormick Call Out Antisemitism Within Their Own Parties, Reaffirm Bipartisan Support for Israel

American Jewish Committee (AJC) today welcomed Senators Jon Fetterman (D-PA) and Dave McCormick (R-PA) to AJC Global Forum for a bipartisan conversation reflecting on America at 250, the importance of the U.S.-Israel relationship, and growing antisemitism in politics. To an audience of 2,000 people from across the U.S. and 70 countries around the world, the Senators, in conversation with AJC CEO Ted Deutch, made clear their commitment to standing with the U.S.'s closest ally in the Middle East and the importance of standing up to antisemitism within their own parties.

Reflecting on the discussion, AJC CEO Ted Deutch said, "At a time of rising polarization and as anti-Zionism and antisemitism have become institutionalized and instrumentalized, the importance of Senators Fetterman and McCormick's clear bipartisanship, support for Israel, and shared commitment to the Jewish people is exactly what we - not just as a Jewish community, but as a society - need right now. And we need more of it."

As public figures on the left and right continue to spread antisemitic tropes and conspiracies, endangering Jews around the world, Senator Fetterman called out Democratic politicians' embrace of figures like Hasan Piker, noting that he has been welcomed at campaign events despite past dangerous rhetoric. Senator McCormick remarked on the rise of these figures in both parties, noting, "Nicholas Fuentes is a good example, and when he's speaking out, I'm saying, 'no, no, that's not part of my party, that's not part of my values."

As the country celebrates America at 250 and AJC marks its 120th anniversary, AJC Global Forum 2026 also highlighted the integral part the Jewish community has played in the American story.

Reflecting on America at 250, and the history of Jews in the U.S., Sen. McCormick recalled President George Washington's 1790 letter to the Hebrew Congregation in Newport, RI, noting, "if George Washington could have imagined in 1790 the America we have today, the prosperity, the incredible opportunity for all of us, including the Jewish people, it would have been staggering how wildly successful America has been in living true to its values." He continued, "In this 250th we should obviously stare hard at the problems and the challenges, but we should not lose sight of the miraculous opportunity and success that America has brought to all of us."

In speaking about what has contributed to his commitment to fighting antisemitism and standing with the Jewish community, Sen. Fetterman said, "I'm a student of history and what history has consistently always demonstrated is that people and societies will turn their backs to the Jewish community when they're under siege and I have always promised that I will never be part of that."

American Jewish Committee (AJC) is the global advocacy organization for the Jewish people, creating trusted partnerships with leaders around the world to ensure Jews and Israel are safe and thriving. Through 40 offices and dozens of partnerships with Jewish communities worldwide, AJC engages leaders in more than 110 countries, empowering those in government, education, partner communities, and the private sector to counter antisemitism and act as allies. For more, please visit www.ajc.org .

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