Republican Senator Lindsey Graham dies at 71

Republican Senator Lindsey Graham has passed away at the age of 71, his associates announced Sunday morning. Graham had served as a U.S. Senator representing South Carolina since 2003 and was widely known as a staunchly pro-Israel lawmaker and a loyal ally of President Donald Trump.

A lawyer by training, Graham previously served as a defense attorney and a military judge in the U.S. Air Force. He was first elected to the House of Representatives in 1994, before winning election to the Senate in 2002. In 2016, he ran against Trump for the Republican presidential nomination; after losing the race, the two became close friends, according to Trump. Graham had been running for re-election to his Senate seat this year.

Throughout his political career, Graham championed a hawkish foreign policy—often more hardline than Trump's own—and frequently expressed unwavering support for the Israeli government. Over the years, he repeatedly spearheaded initiatives to provide defensive and economic aid to Israel, and strongly condemned the International Criminal Court (ICC) warrants issued against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant.

During the ongoing war, Graham spoke out multiple times in defense of Israel. In 2024, he dismissed accusations that Israel was using starvation as a weapon of war against Palestinians as "bullshit." Graham remarked at the time, "This is a blood libel. The Israeli military and the Israeli government are making enormous efforts to provide Palestinians with basic needs."

Regarding American diplomatic efforts with Riyadh, Graham maintained that he would not support any regional pact that did not include Saudi normalization with Israel. In March of this year, he stated, "Once the Iranian regime falls, it will be the gateway to peace, and Saudi Arabia will recognize Israel."

Israeli President Isaac Herzog expressed his grief upon learning the news, stating: "I was shocked and deeply pained to hear of the sudden passing of my dear friend, a great friend of Israel and a great American patriot, U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham. Senator Graham was a beacon of moral clarity and a true leader of the United States-Israel partnership. We will never forget how he stood by the people of Israel during our darkest hours, and we will forever remain grateful for the justice, truth, and loyalty he displayed. I will eternally remember his support for the State of Israel and his personal friendship."

Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar also paid tribute, saying: "I am shocked and saddened by the sudden passing of my friend, Senator Lindsey Graham. I always called him 'the best Senator.' He was one of the greatest friends of Israel and the Jewish people in the U.S. and across the entire world. Lindsey was a man with a massive heart and rare personal charm. He possessed a clear vision of reality and a true commitment to values. His support for Israel and its security was fierce. The State of Israel has lost a towering friend. Israel will not forget you, my friend."