'He went ballistic': Netanyahu reveals details of his final conversation with Lindsey Graham
Netanyahu on Lindsey Graham:
— Clash Report (@clashreport) July 12, 2026
In the last conversation I had with Lindsey Graham, I told him, "We can finance our own defense."
He went ballistic. He said, "No way—you can't do that!"
He was so committed to Israel's security that he actually argued with me to keep American aid… pic.twitter.com/JjsCFj5OFE
PROVO, UTAH: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu revealed details of one of his final conversations with the late Senator Lindsey Graham, recalling how the longtime South Carolina Republican strongly opposed his proposal to gradually end US military aid to Israel.
Speaking on 'Fox & Friends Weekend' on Sunday, July 12, Netanyahu said Graham, who died Saturday at the age of 71, believed continued American support for Israel was vital to both countries' security.
The remarks came a day after Graham's office announced that he had died following a "brief and sudden illness."
Netanyahu says Graham rejected plan to end US military aid
Netanyahu said he once told Graham that Israel had grown into a strong nation with a robust economy capable of financing its own defense without relying on American military assistance.
"I told him, 'We can take care of our own, financing our own weapons for the defense of Israel and defense of our common interests with America, so I'm going to phase out the military support for Israel over a period of years and bring it down to zero. We can do it,'" Netanyahu recalled.
According to the Israeli leader, Graham immediately rejected the idea.
"He went ballistic. He said, 'No way, you can't do that,'" Netanyahu said, describing Graham's reaction as evidence of his unwavering commitment to Israel's security.
Netanyahu remembers Graham as steadfast friend of Israel
Netanyahu said Graham viewed Israel's security as directly tied to America's own national security.
"Because he was so concerned with our security, which he believed was your [America's] security, that he actually fought the prime minister of Israel on keeping America's aid or actually increasing it, and that tells you what kind of a person this extraordinary, extraordinary friend was," Netanyahu said.
The Israeli prime minister described Graham as a trusted friend with a sharp sense of humor who was equally direct when discussing serious policy issues. "I'll miss him terribly," Netanyahu said.
Sara and I grieve with the American people over the loss of our dear friend, Senator Lindsey Graham.
— Benjamin Netanyahu - בנימין נתניהו (@netanyahu) July 12, 2026
In our recent meeting, I said, "Lindsey is a great friend of Israel and a cherished friend of mine. We have no better friend than Lindsey."
Lindsey understood that the security… pic.twitter.com/JG2mUUAfFT
Graham's support for Israel shaped his political legacy
Throughout his Senate career, Graham was one of Congress' strongest supporters of Israel and consistently backed military aid, tougher sanctions against Iran and strong US involvement in the Middle East.
Netanyahu said Graham understood the importance of maintaining American leadership around the world.
“Lindsey Graham understood it perfectly," he said, adding that without American leadership, "there would be no liberty in the world."
Graham, a close ally of President Donald Trump in recent years, died at 71 after what officials initially described as a "brief and sudden illness." Preliminary findings later identified the cause of death as an aortic dissection caused by arteriosclerotic cardiovascular disease.
