The Israeli Government, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and the country's President Isaac Herzog, as well as opposition figures, mourned the death of US Republican Senator Lindsey Graham, whom they described as a “great friend” of Israel and one of the driving forces of this country's alliance with the United States.

"Israel has lost one of its best friends. The United States has lost a great patriot. I have lost a dear friend," Netanyahu said in a statement, for whom the senator dedicated his life to strengthening relations between the two countries and "defending the free world."

Graham, a close ally of US President Donald Trump, died on Saturday afternoon at the age of 71 after suffering a “brief and sudden illness,” his office confirmed this Sunday.

In his message, Netanyahu hoped that Graham's values ​​would continue to guide Israelis “toward victory and peace.”

President Herzog agreed in describing the Republican senator as a “great friend of Israel”, as well as an example of “moral clarity” and “true leader” of the bilateral alliance with the United States.

According to Herzog, Israelis will never forget the senator's support for the people of Israel in their "most difficult" moments. “We will be eternally grateful to you for your sense of justice, truth and loyalty,” he adds in his message.

Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz also reacted to the death of Graham, “a true friend of the State of Israel and one of its strongest and most constant defenders.”

In a statement, Katz indicated that Graham supported Israel after the Hamas attacks of October 2023 and worked “tirelessly” to strengthen the alliance with the United States.

“He was an unwavering voice in defense of Israel's security and its right to defend itself,” he said.

The two radical ministers of Netanyahu's government, Itamar Ben Gvir (National Security) and Bezalel Smotrich (Finance), also highlighted Graham's support for Israel.

“The State of Israel will always remember your friendship, your unwavering support and your firm commitment to Israel's security,” Ben Gvir said on social media.

And Smotrich indicated that his actions contributed to strengthening Israel's position in the world and "achieving many important achievements during the war."

From the opposition, its leaders also remembered Senator Graham and his position with Israel.

The centrist Yair Lapid valued his “warmth, humor and energy” and his “deep devotion to the people of Israel”, with a “clear vision of a safe and peaceful Middle East”, and his electoral alliance partner Naftali Bennet (right) stressed that Graham “supported Israel in our darkest moments, with courage.” EFE

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