US senator Lindsey Graham delivered a uniquely pro-Israel speech as he was addressing the Republican Party's evangelical supporters in South Carolina, where he said God will pull the plug on the United States if the US pulls the plug on Israel.
"Israel is in a fight for their lives. Our friends in Israel are surrounded by people who would kill them all if they could. I am tired of the word genocide. Let me tell you about genocide," the US senator said before diving into a strong defence of Israel.
"If Israel wanted to commit genocide, they could. They have the capability to do that. They choose not to. Hamas, they would commit genocide in thirty seconds. They just can't. That's the big difference, folks. To people in my party: I'm tired of this crap. Israel is our friend. They're the most reliable friend we have in the Mideast," Graham said.
"They're a democracy surrounded by people who would cut their throats if they could. This is not a hard choice if you are an American. This is not a hard choice if you are a Christian. A word of warning: If America pulls the plug in Israel, God will pull the plug on us. And we are not going to let that happen," the senator said.
As Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu plans a broader offensive in the Gaza Strip, he said the Palestinians would be allowed to leave before the broader offensive begins. "We are not pushing them out, but we are allowing them to leave," Netanyahu said.
"Give them the opportunity to leave, first of all, combat zones, and generally to leave the territory, if they want," he said, citing refugee outflows during wars in Syria, Ukraine and Afghanistan.
Trump may visit Israel next month, contingent on progress in negotiations with Hamas over a ceasefire and hostage release deal, the Ynet news site reported Thursday, citing American and Israeli officials. “The president will visit Britain in September, and it’s possible he will stop in Israel, but it’s not certain and not finalized,” a US official tells Ynet.
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