Senator Lindsey Graham Urges Israel to Consider Palestinian Rights in Pursuit of Normalization with Saudi Arabia

Republican Senator Lindsey Graham of South Carolina appeared on NBC’s Meet the Press on Sunday to discuss the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas in Gaza. Graham, who is one of Israel’s most stalwart allies in Washington, expressed hope that Israel could do more to limit civilian casualties in Gaza. He also warned that Israel must consider its handling of Palestinians if it wishes to pursue normalization with Saudi Arabia.

The Biden administration views the creation of formal diplomatic ties between Israel and Saudi Arabia as an important foreign policy goal. Graham praised the Biden administration’s efforts to normalize relations between Israel and Saudi Arabia, saying it was an important step towards stabilizing the Middle East. He also noted that normalized relations between Israel and Saudi Arabia would be a setback for Iran, a U.S. adversary that opposes a rapprochement between Israel and Arab states.

The U.S. is still working towards normalized relations between Israel and Saudi Arabia, but progress has been upended by the war between Israel and Hamas. Graham’s remarks on Sunday were notable as they represent fairly conventional GOP foreign policy thinking.

The conflict between Israel and Hamas in Gaza has been ongoing for weeks, and the situation remains tense. It is unclear when normalized relations between Israel and Saudi Arabia will be achieved, but the Biden administration is continuing to work towards this goal.