Fetterman Went to Israel on NYC Mental Health Nonprofit’s Dime
Sen. John Fetterman has missed 30 floor votes this year. Back in his state of Pennsylvania, he’s cancelled town halls and come under fire for failing to engage with his own constituents.
But in March, during a state work period in which senators typically engage with the people they represent, he instead went on an all-expenses-paid trip to Israel, thanks to the generosity of a New York City nonprofit focused on mental health in the international Jewish community.
Alongside his wife Gisele, Fetterman flew first class to Israel and stayed in five-star hotels in Tel Aviv and Jerusalem as part of a “Fact-Finding Mission,” according to recent travel disclosure documents. On the trip, the itinerary shows, he met with President Benjamin Netanyahu “to discuss the current state of affairs in Israel and Israel’s response to the mental health crisis following the October 7th terrorist attacks.” During that meeting, Netanyahu gave Fetterman a silver beeper to commemorate Israel’s attack in Lebanon — which the United Nations has called a “terrifying violation of international law.”
Fetterman’s three-day Israel trip, which cost over $36,000, was funded by Relief Resources, a New York City-based nonprofit that describes itself as “dedicated to supporting the international Jewish community in overcoming the broad range of conditions related to mental illness.” While Fetterman has been under intense scrutiny surrounding his mental health and ability to do his job, on the trip he was honored at a Jerusalem gala for his “leadership in mental health awareness and legislative advocacy.”
“He’s taken two all-expenses-paid trips to Israel, but can’t drive down the street and hold a town hall.”
Since October 7, 2023, Fetterman has been an aggressive supporter of Israel, leading to mass staff resignations and even prompting some of his donors to ask for their money back. By March of this year, when he went to Israel,........
© The Intercept
