Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-South Carolina, spoke to NBC host Kristen Welker on Sunday about the conditions under which the Biden administration would receive U.S. aid to Israel.
Graham appeared on “Meet the Press” to discuss the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas as Israel faces pressure to meet conditions set by the United States to receive aid. . Prior to Graham’s segment, Vermont Democratic Sen. Bernie Sanders appeared on the show and called for an end to U.S. aid to Israel.
As Mr. Graham began talking about possible solutions for Israel while condemning Mr. Sanders’ remarks, Mr. Welker mentioned that President Ronald Reagan withheld military aid to Israel in the 1980s, and that This prompted a backlash from senior senators. (Related article: House Republicans reportedly plan to pushback against Biden’s moratorium on Israeli arms transfers)
“What I want to say is that there is hope that we can get through this situation. What is non-negotiable: the destruction of Hamas. No one in Israel can guarantee that Hamas will continue to exist militarily or politically even when this is over. We won’t allow that. How we get there is up to negotiations. My problem is not with the weapons that Israel is using, but with the tactics that Hamas is using,” Graham said. “The idea that the United States will not send a single penny of aid, and so do U.S. senators.” [Bernie Sanders]When all Jews are trying to [avoid] Get used to it[ing] The killings by Islamic extremists tell us where we are as a country. The Republican Party stands with Israel without apology. ”
“Well, a historian would say, ‘Why is it okay for President Reagan to do that and not President Biden?'” But let me ask you something–” Welker began.
“Well, why is it okay? Can I say this?” Why is it okay for America to drop two nuclear bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki to end an existential war? ?Why was it okay for us to do that?? I thought it was okay. To Israel – do whatever you have to do to survive as a Jewish state. Whatever you have to do,” Graham jumped in.
“Senators, and military officials say technology has changed. But let me ask you how it all turned out,” Welker responded.
“Yeah, those military experts you’re talking about are crap!” Graham interjected.
Reports surfaced Tuesday that the Biden administration is delaying military aid to Israel to send a political message. Biden administration officials have informed the country of concerns about the war’s humanitarian impact on Gaza residents as Israel advances into Rafah. As part of the withholding of military aid, both Boeing Joint Direct Attack Munitions and small-diameter bombs were kept from Israel. according to Go to Politico.
Following the news of the withholding of support, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said: said Thursday’s warning from the United States against their operations in Gaza will not curtail their plans. Prime Minister Netanyahu said: “If we have to be isolated, we will be isolated. If we have to, we will fight with our claws. But we have more than claws.”
