Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu expressed profound grief over the passing of US Senator Lindsey Graham, labeling him a “great patriot” and a dear friend.
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Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday mourned the death of US Senator Lindsey Graham, calling him a “great patriot,” an unwavering friend of Israel and one of his closest personal allies. In an emotional interview with NBC’s Meet the Press, Netanyahu said he was still in a state of shock, remembering Graham as a leader whose boundless energy, dedication and passion for public service made his sudden passing difficult to accept.
“Frankly, I’m in a state of shock. Because as President Trump said, Lindsey was so vibrant. He was so full of life. He was so full of energy and dedication that it’s hard to accept the fact that he is no more,” Netanyahu said.
Paying tribute to the late senator, Netanyahu said Graham’s death was a major loss not only for the United States but also for Israel.
“I think America has lost a great patriot. Israel has lost one of the great champions of the American-Israeli alliance. And frankly, I’ve lost a beloved friend who I’ve had for many decades. There’s just no one like him,” he said.
Earlier today, US President Donald Trump announced that American flags across the United States will be flown at half-mast until Saturday evening in honour of South Carolina’s late Senator Lindsey Graham, who passed away on July 11 following a “brief, sudden illness.”
Trump pays tribute to Lindsey Graham
In a post on Truth Social, Trump paid tribute to Graham, describing him as a “dear friend” and praising his service to the nation and the state of South Carolina.
“In honor of the remarkable life and achievements of Senator Lindsey Graham, a dear friend of mine and a truly great man who achieved so much for our country and his beloved home state of South Carolina, I am ordering all American flags throughout the United States lowered to half-mast until Saturday evening at 6 P.M. GOD BLESS YOU, LINDSEY!” Trump wrote.
In a separate Truth Social post, the US President remembered Graham as a “true American patriot” and one of the greatest senators he had known.
“Senator Lindsey Graham, one of the greatest people and senators I have ever known, is dead! He was always working and was a true American patriot. Lindsey will be greatly missed,” Trump said.
Lindsey Graham death
US Senator Lindsey Graham, a close aide of US President Donald Trump, passed away on Saturday evening after “brief and sudden illness”, his office said on Sunday.
In a statement, Graham’s office said the family of the Republican Senator from South Carolina had sought privacy during the difficult time.