Image via Twitter/X
U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) has died suddenly at the age of 71. He served four terms in the U.S. Senate from South Carolina from January 3, 2023 until his death on July 11, 2026.
I will remember him as a U.S. lawmaker who, in my view, betrayed not only the United States but also many of the principles he claimed to stand for. I will not mourn someone whose public record I view as being marked by support for war, anti-Muslim rhetoric, and policies that I believe caused immense suffering.
Here are my reasons:
- He repeatedly called on the White House to bomb Iran.
- Last January, he said, "Hit Iran now. Hit it hard."
- He told Fox & Friends that it would be "terrible" if a DNA test showed he had Iranian ancestry.
- He supported the displacement of Palestinians from Gaza, which critics have characterized as ethnic cleansing.
- He was the subject of allegations regarding his personal life that circulated in media reports, although he denied or did not publicly address many of those claims.
Sen. Graham threatened our European allies
After the International Criminal Court (ICC) issued arrest warrants in November 2024 for Israeli Crime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former War Minister Yoav Gallant over alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity, Sen. Graham warned U.S. allies on X:
"To any ally—Canada, Britain, Germany, France—if you try to help the ICC, we're going to sanction you. We should crush your economy. Because we're next."
He Supported Israel's Military Campaign in Gaza
He told Israeli Crime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, "Do whatever the hell you have to do in Gaza." In another statement, he said, "Level the place!"
He later urged Netanyahu, saying:
"Just flatten it. Just like we flattened Berlin and we flattened Tokyo."
He also stated:
"We weren't wrong to drop an atomic bomb on Japan. Do in Gaza what we did in Tokyo and Berlin."
In my view, these statements reflected an endorsement of overwhelming military force. I regarded Sen. Graham as a warmonger whose rhetoric promoted endless conflict.
His Statements in 2026
- January: "Cuba's days are numbered."
- February: "The Iranian regime's days are numbered."
- March: "I will be with Israel until our dying day."
To me, these statements demonstrated where his political loyalties lay.
It is perhaps not surprising that Israeli Crime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was among the first foreign leaders to express condolences, stating that Israel had "lost one of its great friends."
https://x.com/netanyahu/status/2076209061897334872?s=20
On June 1, 2025, Sen. Graham posted on X, "Hope Greta and her friends can swim!" referring to Greta Thunberg and other volunteers aboard the Madleen, a vessel launched by the Freedom Flotilla Coalition to deliver humanitarian aid to Gaza and challenge Israel's blockade.
In March 2015, Sen. Graham was among 47 Republican senators who signed an open letter to Iran during negotiations over the nuclear agreement, expressing opposition to President Barack Obama's policy and to any agreement reached during his administration. In my opinion, undermining a sitting president's ability to conduct foreign policy was a profound breach of responsibility.
I cannot escape the impression that Sen. Graham placed Israel's interests above those of the United States.
That explains why out 350 million Americans--- only one rose bouquet is placed in front of Lindsey Graham's house
https://x.com/hippyygoat/status/2076425179387854994?s=20
He also supported many of the policies of the Trump administration. In my view, like many politicians, he supported whoever best advanced his political career. I have no affection for him. I will extend to him the same level of compassion that I believe he showed Palestinians, Lebanese, Iranians, and members of the LGBT community: none.
Finally, death does not erase a public record, nor should it end honest debate about the consequences of a public official's decisions. In my opinion, Sen. Graham spent his final years advocating policies that prolonged war and suffering. That is how I will remember him.
I will not miss Sen. Lindsey Graham. I believe he placed Israel's interests ahead of those of the United States and was not a true patriot. I will not miss him, and I believe the world is a better and safer place without him.
No prayers. No tears. Just relief.
Second image via social media.
PS: My friend Omar has this funny FB post on his page today, with the caption "Rest in the abode of malevolent monsters, you POS." Omar is a college professor, whom I know Omar for nearly 40 years, and his post expressed my exact sentiment. Photo credit: Social media.
Mahmoud El-Yousseph is a Palestinian freelance writer and retired U.S. Air Force veteran. He writes on U.S. foreign policy, Middle East affairs, and justice.
