On Sunday, NBC ( NBC ) atmosphere erupted.
After Welker cited “military officials” who had agreed to stop arms shipments to Israel if it launched a war in Gaza, Graham lambasted the anchor and the officials she cited.
“These officers you’re talking about are full of crap!” Graham snapped.
Graham: Biden’s threat to halt military aid to Israel ‘rewards Hamas’ tactics of putting civilians at risk’
Senator Lindsey Graham debates anchor Kristen Welker over the Biden administration’s announcement that it may withhold weapons from Israel. (NBC)
Republicans argue that limiting arms supplies to Israel during wartime sends the wrong message to the country’s enemies.
“When you tell the world that you’re going to restrict arms shipments to the Jewish state, which is fighting a three-front war for survival, it emboldens Iran,” Graham said.
Both Republicans and Democrats criticized President Biden for vowing to deny weapons transport If Israel launches a massive invasion of Rafah, Hamas’ last stronghold in Gaza.
“This emboldens Hamas. [Hamas leader Yahya] Sinwar might be interested in the idea [that] There is sunshine between the United States and Israel,” Graham said.
Biden criticized for withholding weapons for Gaza offensive: A nightmare for Israel
President Biden has faced bipartisan criticism after vowing to refuse arms shipments to Israel if it invades Rafah. (Jacqueline Martin/AP/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
Welker pointed to Graham’s historical example of President Reagan withholding military aid to Israel “in an attempt to influence Israeli policy.”
“President Biden is not the first president to use arms shipments to try to influence Israeli policy,” she told Graham. “As you know, former President Ronald Reagan made numerous seizures of weapons to influence Israeli military operations.”
Graham responded that a better historical example was the United States’ decision to drop the atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki.
“Why was it okay for the United States to drop two nuclear bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki to end their existentially threatening war. Why was it okay to do that? Do I think it was okay?” Graham asked.
“To Israel: You have to do whatever it takes to survive as a Jewish state,” he added. “Whatever you do!”
Fox News’ Danielle Wallace contributed to this report.
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