Israel Defender Senator John Fetterman Given Hero’s Welcome at Yeshiva University Commencement
“As we gather to celebrate the achievements of the graduating class, we must also acknowledge the profound significance of their journey within the context of the recent surge in antisemitism across the country.”
Senator John Fetterman (D-PA) gave the commencement address at Yeshiva University this week. Fetterman has been in the news frequently over the last several months for breaking with the progressive wing of his party and standing up as a vocal defender of Israel following the October 7th attacks.
During the proceedings, Fetterman even defiantly removed his Harvard hood, a dramatic and symbolic gesture. Fetterman was given the school’s greatest award.
The Jewish Journal reports:
Yeshiva University Honors Senator John Fetterman With Its Highest Award
“I’m just a senator with a big mouth that happens to be committed to Israel,” said Senator John Fetterman (D-PA) at Yeshiva University’s 93rd annual commencement ceremony on Wednesday. Fetterman received the private Modern Orthodox Jewish University’s highest honor for global leadership, the Presidential Medallion.
“It is truly humbling to be invited to share in this milestone with the graduates of Yeshiva University,” said Fetterman. “As we gather to celebrate the achievements of the graduating class, we must also acknowledge the profound significance of their journey within the context of the recent surge in antisemitism across the country.”
Fetterman said he was surprised by the invitation to speak at the ceremony, especially after finding out that last year’s commencement speaker was the inventor of Israel’s Iron Dome missile defense system. “I don’t belong in that company, I truly don’t,” Fetterman, 54, told the 1,700 graduates at Louis Armstrong Stadium in Queens.
🎥 Sen. John Fetterman presented with the Yeshiva University’s highest award, the Presidential Medallion, at its annual commencement ceremony at the Louis Armstrong Stadium. pic.twitter.com/wWqmGzS8Qw
— Jacob N. Kornbluh (@jacobkornbluh) May 29, 2024
The removal of his Harvard hood was a big deal for the crowd.
The New York Post reports:
Sen. John Fetterman dramatically whips off Harvard hood at Yeshiva University commencement: ‘Profoundly disappointed’
Sen. John Fetterman told Yeshiva University graduates Wednesday that he was “profoundly disappointed” in Harvard University’s inability to address antisemitism on campus before removing the ceremonial crimson academic hood representing his alma mater.
The Pennsylvania Democrat expressed his disapproval with the Ivy League school during his commencement address for the private Orthodox Jewish university, which bestowed him with its “Hero of Israel” award, the institution’s highest honor.
“I have been profoundly disappointed [in] Harvard’s inability to stand up for the Jewish community after Oct. 7,” Fetterman, 54, told the new grads at Louis Armstrong Stadium in Queens.
“Personally, I do not fundamentally believe that it is right for me to wear this today,” the senator added as he removed the Harvard hood, identifying him as an alum, from around his neck.
Fetterman, a staunch supporter of Israel’s war against Hamas, received a standing ovation after the symbolic gesture.
“The Jewish community everywhere deserves our support,” he added.
“And I promise you will always have mine.”
Watch:
To a standing ovation, Senator John Fetterman removed his Harvard Crimson hood during commencement today in outrage over the rampant antisemitism here on campus. This is what true leadership looks like!
🎥 @safier pic.twitter.com/2nSG1liuja— Shabbos Kestenbaum (@ShabbosK) May 29, 2024
Many people, including me, misjudged Fetterman. I’m glad he proved us wrong. We may disagree on policy, but he is a decent man.
You can watch the entire event in the two videos below:
Featured image via YouTube.
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Comments
John Fetterman has been the person who has acted the least like I expected and I am very glad for that.
He’s still voting 99% with biden
This is true, We can and should fairly criticize Fetterman when it is merited, but, it’s also fair to give credit where credit is due. And, supporting Israel against genocidal Islamofascism represents a basic test of moral clarity, for which he deserves praise.
Two retards, peas in a pod
He has really broken the “broken clock telling the right time twice a day” rule for Democrats.
I have to admit that I never saw this coming, but I am glad to see it.
His only surprise, he’s still a biden voter on most legislation.
That said, credit where credit is due, most of the cowards in the senate wouldn’t have the guts to stand up against the cowards of the left and he’s stood tall on Israel.
Wow, I’m amazed and impressed. Who would’ve thought? It shouldn’t be a surprise that a democrat would do this, but it is. Moral clarity is a rare commodity among them.
Israel is of course only one issue. On almost every other issue, Fetterman is an ideological mirror of Biden. Still, one can only imagine that on the issue of Israel, Fetterman may be turning out to be more reliable than (Turkish Muslim) Dr. Oz might have been. I can’t find any comments on the current Gaza problems from Oz at all. In fact, since his defeat, he’s been radio silent on any political topic, as far as I can tell.
To Fetterman’s credit, he’s taking this principled stand likely to the detriment of any aspirations he may have for higher office. Hard to imagine Fetterman winning the Dem nomination now considering where the base is headed on this issue.
Doesn’t this guy have a brain injury?
Yes, but compared to Biden he is perfectly healthy:
1. Biden’s mental condition, due to numerous conditions, is deteriorating
2. Fetterman, recovering from a stroke, is improving
So, we are supposed to lionize this left wing, retarded whack job because we like him on one self-serving issue? Fetterwoman makes me puke.
You don’t have to “lionize” Fetterman, but, I think it’s absolutely fair to give him credit for his stance of supporting Israel without equivocation. It matters, because supporting Israel against genocidal Islamofascism is such a basic test of moral probity and clarity.
It’s possible to fairly criticize Fetterman for his misguided support of 99% of the Dhimmi-crats’ destructive agenda, while simultaneously acknowledging that, on a major moral issue, he has gotten it right and stood against the Islamofascist fanaticism that has corrupted the Dhimmi-crat Party.
“Fetterwoman”. Even a name-calling 3rd grader could be more inventive.
Fetterman called himself by that name before some feminists, Grizz. Maybe he thinks better of that now.
He’s thinking better in general, and that is not me making some weak joke. Despite his political stance, I felt really bad for him back when he was misfiring on all mental cylinders and stated as much, only to be showered with downticks. I presume those came from those who made some very nasty cracks about him.
It pleases me to see he is well on the path to recovery, and for all we know, may change his views on things now that he is able to think more clearly.
As for the Fetterwoman thing, I was not aware he ever brought it up in the first place.
He wore a t-shirt emblazoned with that for two full weeks. You have exactly described his mental capacity.
That’s about the best you can expect from that miserable loser.
Is he one of those “nancy boys” we’re a nation of now? By the way, did you answer my question about what you branch of service was and where you deployed, you insufferable pathetic jackass?
tread carefully
he is still a lefty
and even though the gop=rinos
we can say thanks for seeing the correct pov on this but you are a lefty
Who amongst us a year ago thought we would be praising John Fetterman and Bill Maher for wanting us Jews to live, and cursing Tucker Carlson and Candace Owens for wanting us to die?
Bill Maher hates you
He hates us for some things, not for others. He’s a mixed bag. But that’s better than most who press the D lever.
I like it when you share your opinions of black people.
That lede photo could have come right off the cover of a DC Comic. I like it.
Fetterman ripping off a hood is symbolic on another level as well.
Now all he needs to do is dump Gisele.
I am sure he can do far better.
Ok, so did he get the Presidential Medallion or the Hero of Israel award?
I also didn’t know that Louis Armstrong was from Queens.