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Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who is wanted by the International Criminal Court for war crimes, invited U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham to Jerusalem this weekend to deliver an unambiguous case for military escalation across Gaza, Iran, and Lebanon — pressing maximalist Israeli positions that cut directly against President Trump’s efforts to secure peace and stabilize the region.
Turkey’s foreign minister Hakan Fidan has warned of a “huge risk” that Trump’s Gaza peace could collapse without a “substantial” intervention with Netanyahu.
But, after meetings with Israel’s prime minister, foreign minister, and defense minister, as well as senior IDF and Israeli intelligence officials and U.S. military leaders, Graham told reporters the following:
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🔴 On Gaza and Hamas “disarmament”
“Hamas is not disarming. They’re rearming. They’re not interested in giving up power. They’re consolidating power.”
“Phase two is an aspiration that cannot be achieved, in my view.”
“Ninety days after the ceasefire, Hamas is stronger, not weaker.”
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🔴 On Iran
“We obliterated the Iranian nuclear facilities. We did not obliterate Iran’s desire to have a nuclear weapon.”
“The regime hasn’t changed at all. They still want to destroy Israel and consider America the Great Satan.”
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🔴 On Lebanon and Hezbollah
“If Hezbollah refuses, we should engage in military operations with Israel and the United States to achieve that goal.”
“Once Hamas and Hezbollah are off the table, two proxies of Iran, the likelihood of a Saudi-Israel deal goes up dramatically.”
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🔴 On Turkey and a Gaza ‘stabilizing force’
“The idea that Turkey would be part of a stabilizing force would rock Israel to its core.”
“There is no political support anywhere in Israel for Turkey being involved.”
“Turkey’s comments against Israel are beyond the pale.”
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🔴 On Israel, international criticism, and October 7
“This is a war of television. You’re winning on the ground, but you’re losing in the air.”