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Senator John K. Fetterman (D-Penn.) said Democrats only support ceasefires in Gaza when it is politically advantageous at a talk co-hosted by the Institute of Politics and Harvard Chabad on Sunday afternoon.

Fetterman, who came to Harvard Kennedy School for the off-the-record discussion on the conflict, took specific issue with pro-Palestine protesters, who he said were unwilling to celebrate a ceasefire if it meant praising President Donald Trump, according to two attendees of the event.

The U.S. negotiated the ceasefire agreement reached earlier this month, which facilitated an exchange of detainees and hostages and increased the flow of aid into Gaza. But it’s unclear how long the fragile peace will hold — on Sunday, Israel accused Hamas of killing two IDF soldiers and responded with retaliatory air strikes and a temporary aid blockade.

Fetterman’s office declined to comment on his remarks or the latest violence in Gaza.

The divisive Pennsylvania senator, whose ardent support of Israel sets him apart in the Democratic Party, appeared at HKS at the invitation of Harvard Chabad, a campus Jewish center.

In an interview before the event, Harvard Chabad Rabbi Hirschy Zarchi said a law student in Chabad had a prior relationship with Fetterman and facilitated his appearance. Zarchi then proposed a collaboration to the IOP, who Zarchi said were “thrilled to participate.”

“What they said to us is that they were eager to have the senator now for well over a year, and for whatever reason, they were not successful in securing commitment,” Zarchi said. “So they were really pleased.”

A spokesperson for the IOP did not respond to a request for comment on their collaboration with Chabad.

Zarchi called the IOP a “natural partner” for Chabad and said the undergraduate group helped give the event “a proper, dignified platform.”

As for the IOP, Fetterman’s appearance was a chance to demonstrate a commitment to ideological diversity and rebut accusations of liberal bias, Zarchi said.

“They’re clearly considering a lot of the scrutiny that Harvard has, or the criticism that has been coming to Harvard broadly,” Zarchi said. “There’s clearly a concerted effort, certainly by the IOP, to ensure that there’s viewpoint diversity.”

Dressed in a button-down shirt and jeans — a step up from his typical hoodie and gym shorts — Fetterman delivered remarks to and fielded questions from an audience of around 80. Fetterman largely reiterated his public stances, defending Israel’s war in Gaza and leveling criticism against the Democratic Party, according to two attendees.

Fetterman, who graduated from the Kennedy School’s master’s in public policy program in 1999, publicly distanced himself from Harvard after it descended into chaos following its response to Hamas’ Oct. 7, 2023 attack on Israel.

He told Semafor in January 2024 that he no longer recognized the University. And during a commencement address at Yeshiva University last year, Fetterman told graduates that he was “profoundly disappointed” in Harvard’s response to campus antisemitism, removing his ceremonial HKS graduate hood.

Fetterman has also echoed concerns raised by Trump and the Republican party about rampant antisemitism in higher education. He has repeatedly introduced legislation with Senator Bill Cassidy (R-La.) that would make it easier for students to file civil rights complaints and increase reporting requirements for universities.

But Fetterman was not asked about and did not comment on Harvard’s ongoing feud with the president during the event, according to two attendees.

Attendees submitted questions in advance to allow for speak-to-text transcription. Fetterman, who suffered a near-fatal stroke in May 2022, often relies on assistive technology in public appearances.

Zarchi, the Chabad rabbi, said after the event that students were “really, really excited” about the opportunity to hear from Fetterman — a perspective they don’t get enough exposure to, he added.

“Students were very, very grateful for this opportunity,” Zarchi said after the event. “I came into the room, and I felt really good about the fact that we’re able to facilitate this opportunity.”

—Staff writer Elise A. Spenner can be reached at elise.spenner@thecrimson.com. Follow her on X at @EliseSpenner.

—Staff writer Tanya J. Vidhun can be reached at tanya.vidhun@thecrimson.com. Follow her on X @tanyavidhun.