Sen. Lindsey Graham (R‑S.C.) has urged a formal U.S.–Israel defense pact, arguing that Republican support for Israel remains overwhelming and that American aid yields outsized returns in intelligence, counterterrorism, and advanced technology collaboration. Speaking Sunday in Israel after meetings with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar, and U.S. military and intelligence officials, Graham said deepening the alliance would better secure both nations’ interests.
Graham dismissed claims that GOP support for Israel is weakening. “There is no strong anti‑Israel movement in the Republican Party,” he said, asserting that vocal critics represent only a fringe. “In South Carolina, over 75% of Republicans cherish the U.S.–Israel relationship,” he added, saying national Republican politics reflect similar sentiment.
Graham framed Israel not as a burden but as a highly valuable strategic partner that delivers “tenfold” returns on U.S. aid. He pointed to intelligence sharing, counterterrorism cooperation, and advances in artificial intelligence where Israeli innovation enhances U.S. defense and economic capabilities. “If Israeli intelligence disappeared tomorrow, America would be blind in the region,” he warned, noting that U.S. forces cannot replicate the Israel Defense Forces’ expertise.
A formal defense pact, Graham said, would institutionalize the strategic relationship beyond individual administrations. “Israel does more to keep America safe than almost any other ally,” he said. “NATO matters, but no one is closer to the threat than Israel.”
Graham also addressed ongoing security challenges in the Middle East. He grouped Hamas, Hezbollah, and Iran as interconnected threats driven by Tehran. Citing Hamas’s failure to disarm following a ceasefire, Graham reiterated his call to place the group on a strict timetable to relinquish weapons, warning that Israel should be unleashed with U.S. backing if it refuses.
He also warned that Iran’s desire for regional dominance persists despite setbacks to its nuclear infrastructure, stressing that “appeasement does not lead to peace.” Graham urged coordinated action against Hezbollah if it refuses to surrender heavy weapons.
Concluding his remarks, Graham honored the victims of the October 7 massacre and expressed hope that decisive action and strengthened U.S.–Israel ties could reshape the region’s security landscape for the better.
