Charity run by wife of pro-Israel US senator defaced with ‘genocide’ slogan
John Fetterman says partner Gisele ‘shouldn’t have to put up with’ the vandalism that he’s grown accustomed to since Oct. 7, as Jewish groups slam ‘baseless and malicious act’
JTA — Several Jewish groups condemned an anti-Israel message placed by vandals on the exterior of a charity shop run by Gisele Barreto Fetterman, wife of pro-Israel Democratic Senator John Fetterman of Pennsylvania.
A sheet draped over Barreto Fetterman’s Free Store in Braddock, Pennsylvania, read “Genocide John, Genocide Gisele, Blood on your hands,” according to a social media post by John Fetterman on Thursday.
A coalition of Jewish groups, including several Jewish federations in the state, called the act “inappropriate and counterproductive.”
John Fetterman is among the most outspoken Democratic supporters of Israel in the US Senate. He and Gisele recently traveled to the country, where Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu gifted him a silver-plated pager as an homage to an anti-Hezbollah military operation last year.
Fetterman’s stance has made him a frequent target of protests, but until this week, he tweeted, they had focused on his home and workplace. Braddock, where John Fetterman served as mayor for more than a decade, is a low-income post-industrial town, and Gisele’s store aims to help area residents by distributing surplus goods at no cost. It is housed in a brightly painted shipping container.
The store’s website and social media feeds have not mentioned Israel or the conflict dating back at least to October 7, 2023, when Hamas stormed southern Israel to kill some 1,200 people and take 251 hostages, sparking the war in Gaza.
“People defaced the FreeStore in Braddock last night,” the senator tweeted. “Since 10/7/23, I’m used to the vandalism at our home or my office. But Gisele and volunteers distribute food, clothing and formula at no cost to our community—and they shouldn’t have to put up with this.”
People defaced the FreeStore in Braddock last night.
Since 10/7/23, I’m used to the vandalism at our home or my office.
But Gisele and volunteers distribute food, clothing and formula at no cost to our community—and they shouldn’t have to put up with this. pic.twitter.com/3hQCOGj2AO
— U.S. Senator John Fetterman (@SenFettermanPA) April 3, 2025
Gisele Fetterman does not appear to have released a public statement on the incident.
The Jewish groups that condemned the incident included federations in Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Lehigh Valley and Harrisburg, as well as the Pennsylvania Jewish Coalition, an umbrella political advocacy group. They also said the vandalism of Fetterman’s home and office is “unacceptable.”
“Accusing the Free Store and its founder, Gisele Fetterman, of having ‘blood on their hands’ is a baseless and malicious act,” the groups’ statement said. “It harms the vulnerable individuals who rely on its services and does nothing to support the Palestinian people in Gaza. Attacking a charitable organization that serves those in need crosses a line that should never be approached, and only deepens division and pain.”
Times of Israel contributed to this report.
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