Sen. Lindsey Graham on Sunday bashed Vice President Kamala Harris on foreign policy, calling her a “wrecking ball” — especially on the Israel/Hamas war.
“Obviously she has some talent, but here’s what I would say on foreign policy, she’s been a wrecking ball on Israel,” Mr. Graham said on ABC News’ “This Week.” “On Israel, she sat there and listened to somebody call the Israeli government, and people engaging in genocide, and did nothing about it.”
“She boycotted Bibi’s speech to the Congress, sending the signal to Hamas and Iran that America really doesn’t have Israel’s back,” said Mr.Graham, South Carolina Republican. “She was cheerleading the withdrawal from Afghanistan. She’s bragged about being the last person in the room. The dumbest decision maybe in modern history by an American administration.”
Ms. Harris did not attend Mr. Netanyahu’s July address; instead, she was in Indianapolis on her presidential campaign. Several Democratic lawmakers boycotted the Israeli leader’s speech.
She met with him privately after, where she called for a cease-fire and withdrawal of the Israeli military.
Ms. Harris seems to discuss the Israel-Hamas war carefully. At the Democratic National Convention last month, she defended Israel but also spoke out in favor of the Palestinians.
“I will always stand up for Israel’s right to defend itself and I will always ensure Israel has the ability to defend itself. Because the people of Israel must never again face the horror that the terrorist organization Hamas caused on October 7, including unspeakable sexual violence and the massacre of young people at a music festival,” she said in her speech.
“At the same time, what has happened in Gaza over the past 10 months is devastating. So many innocent lives lost. Desperate, hungry people fleeing for safety, over and over again. The scale of suffering is heartbreaking,” she said. “President Biden and I are working to end this war such that Israel is secure, the hostages are released, the suffering in Gaza ends, and the Palestinian people can realize their right to dignity. Security. Freedom. And self-determination.”
Still, pro-Palestinian Americans say Ms. Harris hasn’t done enough, and protesters were present for all four days of the convention.
When host Jon Karl mentioned to Mr. Graham about how Ms. Harris promised to give Israel what it needs to defend itself in her’ DNC speech, the GOP senator said it was too late.
“Jon, the damage has been done. She was vice president of the United States. She refused to come and attend a joint session of Congress with the prime minister of Israel,” Mr. Graham said. “That sent the worst possible signal you could send.”
The Washington Times has reached out to the Harris campaign for comment.
• Mallory Wilson can be reached at mwilson@washingtontimes.com.
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