SAN DIEGO (SDJW) — Here in alphabetical order are reactions from segments of the Jewish community to the death of U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina):
Auschwitz Jewish Center Foundation Director General Jack Simony:
“Senator Lindsey Graham worked to ensure that the lessons of the Holocaust would be taught to every new generation. He co-sponsored the Never Again Education Act. He confronted antisemitism without hesitation, and he stood with the Jewish people through moments of triumph and moments of trial. His friendship was unwavering, and we will remember it with deep gratitude. May his memory be a blessing.”
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“The Orthodox Union mourns the sudden passing of Senator Lindsey Graham, whose steadfast support for Israel and the Jewish people was a defining feature of his public service. Throughout his years in Congress, he stood firmly with our community and consistently championed the U.S.-Israel relationship. We are proud to have partnered closely with Sen. Graham, through the Orthodox Union Advocacy Center, on many important policy initiatives including the enactment of the Taylor Force Act. OU Advocacy leaders regularly met with Sen. Graham and valued his insight, love for Israel and the Jewish people, and good humor. We extend our deepest condolences to his family, loved ones, and the people of South Carolina during this time of profound loss.”
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Republican Jewish Coalition: Senator Graham was a dear friend to the Republican Jewish Coalition. He spoke with our members at conferences and events on many occasions over the years, always with candor, wit, and a genuine warmth that stayed with everyone who met him. Reflecting once on how our community had rallied around him, he put it simply: “We are family.” He meant it, and he proved it decade after decade. Senator Graham had a way of making you feel like you’d known him for years, whether it was your first conversation with him or your fiftieth. …
Especially thanks to his leadership as Chairman of the State Department appropriations subcommittee, Lindsey Graham had an unmatched record as a pro-Israel champion. He introduced the Taylor Force Act and anti-BDS legislation, led the fight to stop Obama’s Iran nuclear deal, and was a key backer of historic Trump administration breakthroughs: moving the U.S. embassy to Jerusalem, recognizing the Golan Heights as part of Israel, and the Abraham Accords.
Senator Graham traveled to Israel dozens of times over the decades, including just fifteen days after the October 7th massacre, guided by a simple axiom he repeated for years: “Israel’s security is America’s security.”
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Zionist Organization of America‘s National President Morton Klein:
“Sen. Lindsey Graham was a great American patriot and a friend of mine. He was a most sincere and heartfelt friend of and advocate for the Jewish people and the Jewish state. He fought for strong U.S. Israel relations and fought those who were hostile to Israel.
Sen. Graham also understood the dangers posed by the Islamic Republic of Iran to America and the West and fought to minimize and eliminate that danger. He would always make clear that whatever endangers Israel also endangers America.
He was also a great orator and extremely witty and funny and a great storyteller. What a terrible loss. He will be sorely missed. The Zionist organization of America prays that his memory will be a blessing.”
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San Diego Jewish World staff report.