John Fetterman Turns Heads at Netanyahu Speech Amid Democrat Snub

Senator John Fetterman had a noticeably different look for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's congressional address on Wednesday.

Fetterman, who has unapologetically ditched the typical business attire since joining the Senate in 2022, was spotted wearing a suit and tie on the House floor as Netanyahu delivered his first speech to U.S. lawmakers since Hamas launched a surprise terrorist attack on Israel. It is his fourth address to Congress.

Fetterman signaled that he would wear a suit if the Sergeant-at-Arms began enforcing the Senate's dress code, but he continued to wear shorts and hoodies to work after Congress ditched the code in September.

Newsweek reached out to Fetterman via email for comment.

Wednesday's event comes as the Democratic Party remains divided over the war in Gaza. About half of Democrats in both the House and Senate skipped Netanyahu's address in protest of Israel's military response to the October 7 attack.

Fetterman, who had once been a beacon for progressives, has rejected the label after coming under attack from the left wing of his party over his ardent support for Israel. Last month, the first-term senator traveled to Israel to meet with Netanyahu, vowing to remain a steadfast ally.

Ahead of the prime minister's address, Fetterman said it was "important" to hear from Netanyahu.

"That's his right, and it's our responsibility [to listen to] that," he told reporters.

But others in Fetterman's party did not feel the same. Many lawmakers, including former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, former House Majority Whip Jim Clyburn and Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, stated they were explicitly boycotting Netanyahu's address.

Representative Rashida Tlaib, the only Palestinian-American in Congress and a fierce critic of both Netanyahu and Israel, attended the address wearing a keffiyeh. During the speech, she held up a sign that said "guilty of genocide" on one side and "war criminal" on the other.

Netanyahu has faced immense criticism for the Palestinian death toll, which is nearing 40,000, according to Gaza's health ministry. He is also facing both domestic and international pressure to strike a peace deal to bring home the 120 hostages that remain in captivity.

Netanyahu's critics have accused him of prolonging the war for his own political gain, which he has denied.

Fetterman and Senator Joe Manchin were the only non-Republicans who stayed behind to shake hands with Netanyahu after his speech. Dozens of Democrats, including Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, left the chamber before Netanyahu finished.

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