Lindsey Graham's Stunning Reversal on Israel's Future

U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC), a longtime champion of Israel and close confidant to President Donald Trump, issued a blunt call Saturday for Jerusalem to embrace a two-state solution, warning that alternatives could isolate the Jewish state more than any Iranian missile strike.Speaking at the Republican Jewish Coalition's annual leadership summit here, Graham told attendees that Israel's long-term survival as both a Jewish and democratic nation demands a "realistic two-state outcome," but only after crushing security threats like Hamas and Hezbollah.

"There is no other alternative," Graham declared in an interview with The Jerusalem Post, emphasizing that a one-state reality, such as full Judea and Samaria annexation, would either erode Israel's Jewish majority or leave millions of Palestinians without rights, drawing inevitable global condemnation. "A one-state solution does more damage to Israel than an Iranian bomb," he added.

Graham's remarks, which earned standing ovations from the pro-Israel crowd, come amid growing Republican debates over U.S. aid to Israel.

He urged swift action: First, dismantle Hamas entirely and disarm Hezbollah; then, leverage Arab states, particularly Saudi Arabia, to rebuild Gaza in exchange for normalization with Israel.

"Arab countries will not normalize without a two-state horizon," Graham said, echoing his long-held view that expanding the Abraham Accords hinges on Palestinian progress.

He predicted a Saudi deal could materialize by May 2026 if conditions align, but warned that rejecting two states risks "pulling the plug" on American support, a nod to his biblical warning that abandoning Israel invites divine consequences.

The South Carolina senator, who has visited Israel over two dozen times, positioned his stance as "tough love" for a nation he calls America's "greatest ally." He pushed back against GOP isolationists questioning billions in aid, insisting that "being pro-Israel means telling hard truths."

Graham's advocacy isn't new , he's co-sponsored two-state resolutions since 2019 and tied it to Saudi talks in 2023, but his summit speech amplifies it amid the Israel-Hamas war.

With Trump set to return to the White House, Graham, facing a 2026 reelection challenge from far-right rivals, is maneuvering to bridge party divides, securing endorsements from Trump and Gov. Henry McMaster while appealing to evangelical and Jewish voters.

Israeli officials offered mixed reactions. Moderates like opposition leader Benny Gantz praised the "pragmatic vision," while Netanyahu's Likud allies dismissed it as "premature meddling." Palestinian advocates welcomed the GOP nod but criticized Graham's silence on Gaza's humanitarian toll.

As the summit wrapped, Graham reiterated his faith-based commitment: "If America pulls the plug on Israel, God will pull the plug on us."