Republican Senator Lindsey Graham has died at the age of 71
The announcement was made in a statement. The cause of death was cardiac arrest
US Republican Senator Lindsey Graham, one of the most influential figures in the Republican Party in Congress and a close ally of President Donald Trump, died on Saturday evening at the age of 71 following a ‘brief and sudden illness’ – a cardiac arrest. His office announced this in a statement. “On the evening of Saturday 11 July, US Senator Lindsey Graham passed away following a brief and sudden illness,” the statement read, in which the family expressed their gratitude for the prayers received and asked for their privacy to be respected at this difficult time.
First elected to the House of Representatives in 1994 and to the Senate in 2002, Graham was standing for re-election in this year’s elections. In recent years, he had established himself as one of Trump’s leading supporters in the Senate, whilst on some occasions holding differing views, particularly on foreign policy issues. Just last month, Trump had publicly reaffirmed his support for the South Carolina senator during a telephone rally for his election campaign. And today, upon hearing the news of his death, Trump described him on Truth as ‘one of the most extraordinary people and senators I have ever known. He was always working and was a true American patriot. We will miss Lindsey so very much!!! Details and arrangements to follow. How sad!’
With Graham’s death and the uncertainty surrounding Mitch McConnell’s health, the Republicans risk having a narrower majority in the Senate.
“Israel has lost one of its greatest friends. America has lost a great patriot. I have lost a very dear friend,” Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in a statement, sharing “the grief of the American people at the passing of Senator Lindsey Graham”. “Lindsey understood that the security of Israel and that of the United States are inseparable. He dedicated his life to defending America, strengthening our alliance and defending the free world. May his values and his initiatives continue to guide us towards victory and peace, and may his memory be a blessing forever,” said the Prime Minister.
‘Today, Israel has lost one of its greatest friends. Senator Lindsey Graham stood by Israel not because it was easy, but because he believed it was the right thing to do. His unconditional support, his courage and his moral clarity earned him the admiration of millions of Israelis.” This was posted on social media by Itamar Ben-Gvir, Minister of National Security in the Netanyahu government. “The State of Israel,” he emphasised, “will forever remember his friendship, his unconditional support and his steadfast commitment to Israel’s security. My deepest condolences to his family and to the American people. May his memory be a blessing.”
