Senator Lindsey Graham, a Republican from South Carolina, has called on President Biden and his administration to clarify their stance on Hamas following Biden’s State of the Union address. During an interview with NBC’s Kristen Welker on “Meet the Press,” Graham expressed his surprise at a line in Biden’s speech where he stated, “If you release the hostages, the war will be over.”
Graham questioned whether the president was suggesting that if Hamas released the hostages, they would be allowed to remain in power, effectively ending the conflict. He contrasted Biden’s position with that of former President Trump, who believed that Hamas needed to be destroyed militarily and should not be allowed to hold power.
“I’m challenging the Biden administration today to clear this up,” Graham said. “You cannot allow Hamas to stay in power. You can’t allow them to have six brigades to do October 7th again.”
Graham also criticized Biden for focusing on Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s actions rather than addressing Hamas or their backer, Iran. He argued that it was Iran, through its proxies, that was responsible for killing American soldiers, not Israel.
“I would urge President Biden to hold the Great Satan, Iran, accountable for killing soldiers in Jordan and attacking shipping,” Graham said. “So yeah, I think he’s got it backwards.”
Graham emphasized the importance of supporting Israel and not empowering their enemies. He stated that the United States should be fully committed to assisting Israel while taking actions that do not benefit their enemies.
President Biden recently stated that the U.S. does not have a “red line” with Israel over its actions in the war with Hamas. He clarified this statement in an interview, stating that he would not cut off all weapons to Israel, ensuring they have the necessary defense, including the Iron Dome system.
Graham’s call for clarification on Biden’s stance reflects concerns among conservatives about the administration’s approach to the Israel-Hamas conflict. Critics argue that allowing Hamas to remain in power could perpetuate the conflict and endanger American interests in the region.
The conservative perspective underscores the belief that a strong stance against Hamas and its supporters, such as Iran, is crucial for ensuring stability and protecting American lives. As the Biden administration faces scrutiny over its foreign policy decisions, the debate surrounding Hamas and Israel is likely to continue.
