On Wednesday, May 29, 2024, Republican United States Senator for South Carolina Lindsey Graham and former Republican presidential candidate Nikki Haley both met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in the latter’s office in Jerusalem.
During his visit, the fifth since the outbreak of the war in Gaza, Graham called the president of the International Court of Justice, Lebanese Nawaf Salam, a “raving antisemite,” and the court at large “a joke.”
The court is currently hearing a case brought by South Africa, claiming that Israel is committing genocide in Gaza.
In a statement, Netanyahu said, “We have no better friend, and I mean it, than Senator Lindsey Graham.”
But while Graham’s visit may have flown somewhat under the radar, Nikki Haley’s certainly did not.
She also met with Netanyahu on Wednesday, saying, “I come here to let you know that the majority of Americans stand with Israel. And on October 7 it wasn’t just Israelis who mourned. Americans mourned as well. But a win for Israel is a win for America.”
Netanyahu, echoing Haley, responded by stating that, “those who want to kill us want to kill you. Those who chant ‘Death to Israel’ also chant ‘Death to America.’”
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But by Wednesday, Haley had already sparked outrage during her visit.
Because, on May 28, pictures of the former US ambassador to the United Nations signing artillery shells with a marker on May 27 were shared on social media.
The South Carolina politician’s message read as follows: “Finish them! America <3 Israel. Always, Nikki Haley.”
Haley received criticism for her action, which some viewed as careless and a publicity stunt.
Addressing the incident on X, Amnesty International stated that, “Conflict is no place for stunts. Conflict has rules. Civilians must be protected.”
