With the passing of Senator Lindsey Graham, the United States has lost a public leader with a clear and unwavering voice, and Israel has lost a true friend.
When people speak about the special relationship between Israel and the United States, they naturally think of the White House, the President, and the federal government. But America is much bigger than Washington.
The United States is a nation of states, communities, and people. Senators, state legislators, and governors represent the people on the ground. They shape public discourse, influence public opinion, and help determine the future of the relationship between our two countries.
Few people embodied this reality better than Senator Lindsey Graham of South Carolina.
1+Long before he served in Washington, Graham was a boy growing up in a small South Carolina town, raised in a humble family built on hard work, faith, and personal responsibility. After losing both of his parents at a young age, he took responsibility for his younger sister, Darline, ensuring she could continue her education and build her future. Long before entering public life, Graham’s character was defined by family, loyalty, and a deep commitment to caring for others.
These values were inseparable from his profound Christian faith. Raised in the Southern Baptist tradition, where the Bible serves as a guiding source of moral principles and worldview, Graham viewed Israel as far more than a strategic ally. He saw Israel as a nation whose identity is deeply rooted in the biblical story and in the shared values of faith, freedom, and responsibility. His worldview reflected that of millions of American Christians who believe in the promise found in Genesis: “I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse.”
1+That conviction helps explain why Graham remained one of Israel’s strongest supporters throughout his career. When asked about his commitment to Israel, he rarely spoke only in terms of foreign policy. Instead, he summed up his belief with a simple statement:
“I will stand with Israel until the day I die. It is our greatest ally.”
Following the October 7 terrorist attacks, Graham was among the first American leaders to visit Israel. He met with families, including Sivan’s family in Kibbutz Kfar Aza, and toured communities devastated by the attacks as well as active combat zones. He did not come merely as an American official, he came as a friend of Israel.
Lindsey Graham’s story also carries a broader lesson about how Israel should cultivate its relationship with the United States.
About six months ago, AFJS had the privilege of hosting South Carolina State Senator Patricia Rucker, together with other elected officials from across the United States, during a visit to Israel.
That visit reinforced my belief that investing in relationships with state-level leaders across America is just as important as maintaining strong ties with the federal government. The bond between Israel and America is not built only in the White House. It is strengthened in local communities, schools, state legislatures, and through personal relationships between people.
Israel certainly needs friends in Washington. But the enduring alliance is also built in South Carolina, Texas, Florida, and in every American community where leaders and citizens are shaping the future.
Lindsey Graham exemplified that truth. He was a warm, humble man who rose from modest beginnings, carried with him the values of faith and responsibility, and became one of the strongest voices for the enduring friendship between Israel and the United States.
May his memory be a blessing.