On Sunday morning, we woke up to the shocking news that Senator Lindsey Graham passed away. His office described his passing as due to a sudden but brief illness.
Later, it was revealed that a call to emergency services had been made to Graham’s Washington home in response to cardiac arrest.
Graham’s loss to America, Israel, and world Jewry is incalculable. He was a staunch ally of President Trump in his effort to crack down on illegal immigration. In fact, he supported Trump on most of his efforts, although he was understandably critical of the Memorandum of Understanding signed with the Iranians.
He was an unwavering supporter of Israel, standing with Israel during the harshest of times. Prime Minister Netanyahu, among a host of other notable Israelis, was effusive in his praise for Graham: “Israel has lost one of its great friends, America has lost a great patriot, and I have lost a beloved friend.”
From his detractors, you can learn about him. The Young Turks executive producer and co-host, and virulent Israel-basher, Ana Kasparian, had just two words to post: “Good riddance.” Notorious anti-Semite Nick Fuentes had the same comment: “Good riddance.”
“Mitoch genusam atah lomeid shivchasan” – From whom they denigrate, you can learn praise. If these reprehensible people were condemning Lindsey Graham, then you get an idea of how great he was.
He will likely be irreplaceable to Jewish causes and to Israel in the Senate.
Then there is the other Graham – Graham Platner – that oyster farmer turned politician who was a rising star in the Democratic Party as he ran away with the primary victory in an effort to unseat Maine Republican Senator Susan Collins.
Plattner came with baggage all along. He said abusive things about women, and he sported a Nazi tattoo, which he later had covered up with another tattoo. He was a strident critic of Israel and accused it of genocide and apartheid. The Democrats should have realized early on that he was not an appropriate candidate, but they could not resist endorsing him. Of course, Bernie Sanders was an early supporter, as was Chuck Schumer. Surprisingly absent was AOC.
But then things got too hot. A woman came forward to tell the story of how she was physically abused by him, and the backers backed off and left him to the wolves. That ultimately left Platner with no choice but to “suspend” his campaign.
Of him, we can say: Good riddance.
Rabbi Yoel Schonfeld is the Rabbi Emeritus of the Young Israel of Kew Gardens Hills, President of the Coalition for Jewish Values, former President of the Vaad Harabonim of Queens, and the Rabbinic Consultant for the Queens Jewish Link.