Graham to ToI: US must back up promises to Iran protesters; ISF can’t disarm Hamas

The US must “deliver” on its pledges to aid Iranian protesters, US Senator Lindsey Graham tells The Times of Israel.

“We promised that help would be on the way to the protesters,” he says after meeting with top Israeli officials in Jerusalem, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. “We have to deliver on that promise.”

“If having said all the things we’ve said and done all the things we’ve done,” he continues, “if the ayatollah is still standing after all this bluster, then it would be a strategic victory for Iran and the force of radical Islam.”

There is “no daylight” between US President Donald Trump and Netanyahu on Iran, he says.

Graham says he will continue from Israel to the UAE and then to Saudi Arabia.

He heaps praise on the UAE and its leader, Mohammed Bin Zayed: “They have taken the risk in the name of living toward the light. They have a very capable military. They’ve been an incredibly reliable partner on intelligence. I want to go and let the people of the United Arab Emirates, MBZ, know we appreciate the partnership. Israel very much appreciates it.”

“Bibi was just over the top in his phrase of MBZ,” says Graham of his meeting earlier today with Netanyahu.

The South Carolina Republican says he would “like to get them more capable weapons from the United States, upgrade their weapons package.”

While arguing that Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman wants peace and prosperity for the region, he is critical of recent Saudi statements and moves against the UAE and Israel, saying, “There’s no issue that would justify some of the things being said.”

“Discord between allies only emboldens the enemy, and now is the time to have our differences, but do it in a fashion that doesn’t advance the cause of the bad guys,” he tells The Times of Israel.

Turning to Gaza, Graham says, “I don’t believe Hamas will ever disarm until made to do so.”

“If you don’t put them on a clock, this thing goes forever,” he says, calling for a deadline to be issued by the White House.

Contradicting Trump’s statements about the effectiveness of the nascent International Stabilization Force in Gaza, Graham says that “it’s not going to be the force that leads to the demise of Hamas.”

“This force may emerge afterwards, but I don’t see anybody in the region willing to go in on the ground and take the weapons away from Hamas other than Israel,” Graham says.