Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C) snapped at ‘Meet the Press‘ host Kristen Welker when pressed on his opposition to President Joe Biden’s Israel policy.
Biden said in a recent CNN interview that the US would no longer supply offensive weapons to Israel if it proceeds with a full-scale invasion of Rafah.
On Sunday, Welker pressed Graham on why he is opposing Biden’s move when Ronald Reagan used the very same tactic multiple times. President George H.W. Bush also withheld aid to Israel.
“President Biden is not the first president to use arms shipments to try to influence Israeli policy,” Welker said, according to a clip highlighted by Mediaite. “As you know, former President Ronald Reagan on multiple occasions withheld weapons to impact Israel’s military actions. Did President Reagan show that using U.S. military aid as leverage can actually be an effective way to rein in and impact Israel’s policy?”
“When you’re telling the world you’re going to restrict weapons delivery to the Jewish state, who is fighting a threat throughout war for their survival, it emboldens Iran. It emboldens Hamas. [Hamas leader Yahya] Sinwar is probably juiced up on the idea there’s daylight between US and Israel,” Graham answered, adding, “this is the worst decision in the history of the US. Israel relationship to deny weapons at a time the Jewish state could be destroyed.”
“Historians would say, why is it OK for Reagan to do it and not President Biden?” Welker pressed.
“Why is it OK for America to not drop two nuclear bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki to end their existential threat war?!” Graham ranted. “Why was it OK for us to do that? I thought it was OK? To Israel: Do whatever you have to do to survive as a Jewish state! Whatever you have to do!”
Welker pointed out that military officials said there have been advancements in technology since those bombs were dropped and Israel could be more precise.
“These military officials that you’re talking about are full of crap!” Graham shot back.
