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U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham, notorious for his anti-Turkish stance, stated that Türkiye's participation in a Gaza stabilization force would "rock Israel to its core" and create "a massive problem" for Israel, citing President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's rhetoric against the Israeli government.
"The idea that Türkiye, a NATO ally, which helps in many ways and other ways not, the idea that Türkiye would be part of a stabilizing force on the board of peace would rock Israel to its core," Graham told reporters in Israel on Sunday following a meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
"There is no political support anywhere in Israel for having Türkiye being involved in the stabilizing force. Erdogan's comments against Israel are beyond the pale," Graham said.
"So if anybody's thinking about having Türkiye involved on the ground in Gaza, you would create a massive problem for our friends in Israel. Not left, right. It's everybody would have the same view," the South Carolina Republican added.
In an interview with Israeli media outlet The Jerusalem Post, Graham offered a mixed assessment of Türkiye, acknowledging Ankara's role in NATO and assistance in hostage-related efforts while sharply criticizing the Turkish President's rhetoric.
"What Erdogan says about Israel and Prime Minister Netanyahu is appalling," Graham said, adding that, "I understand completely why Israelis would oppose Türkiye being part of any stabilizing force."
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Graham has a long record of supporting sanctions legislation targeting Türkiye.
In December 2024, Graham and Democratic Senator Chris Van Hollen introduced the "Countering Turkish Aggression Act of 2024," which would impose sanctions on Türkiye over military action by Ankara in northern Syria.
"These sanctions seek to prevent further Turkish or Turkish-backed attacks on the SDF, which risk the re-emergence of Daesh, threatening the national security of the U.S. and the rest of the globe," the senators said in a statement at the time.
Graham's comments echo the Israeli government's position. Palestinian Ambassador to Russia Abdel Hafiz Nofal recently said that Israel has rejected Türkiye's participation in the Gaza stabilization force.
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