Prime Minister Netanyahu said Sunday morning that in one of his final conversations with the late Sen. Lindsey Graham, Graham reacted strongly when Netanyahu suggested Israel could finance its own defense, insisting that the aid must continue. The remark adds to a series of tribute statements Netanyahu has made since Graham's death Saturday night.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday morning recounted a recent conversation with the late Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC), saying that when Netanyahu suggested Israel could finance its own defense, Graham 'went ballistic' and insisted the aid must continue. The remark was part of Netanyahu’s public remembrance of Graham, who died Saturday night at age 71.
Netanyahu has issued multiple tributes since Graham’s death, including a formal eulogy Sunday afternoon in which he called Graham 'a true friend and ally.' Earlier on Sunday, Netanyahu also revealed that Graham had urged him to strike Iran's nuclear facilities. As The Zioneer reported, Netanyahu is reportedly considering traveling to the U.S. for Graham’s funeral and would meet President Donald Trump if the trip proceeds.
The statement also echoes a theme Netanyahu has raised before: the idea of reducing U.S. aid dependency. In June, Netanyahu said the process to end U.S. security aid to Israel would begin this year, according to The Zioneer’s earlier coverage. The new anecdote underscores Graham’s decades-long role as a staunch supporter of U.S. military assistance to Israel.
- StrongNetanyahu: Lindsey Graham was 'a true friend and ally, the world lost an amazing person'
- DevelopingNetanyahu: Graham urged me to attack Iran's nuclear facilities
- StrongNetanyahu says Israel exercising self-defense rights in talks with Trump
- DevelopingNetanyahu reportedly examining possibility of attending Lindsey Graham's funeral, would meet Trump if visit proceeds
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