Sen. John Fetterman (D-PA) has commended the University of Florida for their handling of the recent campus protests sweeping across the nation, stating that the school has responded appropriately. Fetterman, a strong supporter of Israel within the Democratic party, praised Ben Sasse, the president of the University of Florida and former Republican senator from Nebraska, for not negotiating with the most disruptive voices during the protests while still respecting the protesters’ free speech rights.
Fetterman expressed his agreement with Sasse’s approach on Fox News’s show ‘Special Report with Brett Baier’, emphasizing the importance of allowing peaceful protests without allowing them to spiral into chaos. He questioned the motives of the protesters, noting their shift from calling for a ceasefire to advocating for harm against Israel. Fetterman believed that the demonstrators should be focusing their efforts on condemning the Hamas terrorist group instead of targeting Israel.
Gov. Ron DeSantis (R-FL) also issued a warning to college students, advising them against engaging in antisemitic protests and harassing Jewish students or faculty members. He criticized other school administrations for not supporting their Jewish community members, labeling them as “weak” and “scared”.
Fetterman has made his support for Israel clear, attending a pro-Israel rally in Washington, D.C., and condemning disruptive behavior from pro-Palestinian protesters. Campus protests have been ongoing across the country, with the University of Massachusetts taking action by arresting 60 demonstrators who had constructed a barricade on campus demanding divestment from weapons manufacturers.
