WASHINGTON – Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman will not recognize Israel unless he can secure “an outcome better for the Palestinians,” and his own political survival depends on it, Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina) said Wednesday at The Jerusalem Post’s Washington Conference.
“MBS is not going to recognize Israel until he gets an outcome better for the Palestinians, or he will get killed,” he said. “That is the truth.”
Any US-led normalization deal between Saudi Arabia and Israel must address Palestinian aspirations while preserving Israel’s security, Graham said.
At the same time, he drew a sharp line between diplomatic flexibility and capitulation to terrorism.
“I am not asking Israel to reward terrorism,” Graham said. “I am asking Israel to be open-minded to end the conflict, where Israel is secure and MBS can move his region forward.”
The crown prince needs a package that visibly improves the situation for Palestinians without legitimizing Hamas or weakening Israel’s ability to defend itself, he said.
Any successful deal must be built on “real security fundamentals,” including neutralizing Iran’s proxy forces, Graham said.
“There is no hope for a Saudi-Israel deal unless you do away with Hamas and Hezbollah,” he said. “Neutralize the threat, and then you can talk rationally.”
‘We were this close’ before October 7
Graham was introduced by conference honorary co-chair Bobby Rechnitz as “one of the greatest friends the Jewish community has in Washington.” He was praised for his long-standing backing of Israel and the Jewish community.
Graham said the Middle East had come to the brink of a transformative agreement before the October 7 massacre and the subsequent two years of war.
“We were this close,” he said. “We were running the framework. Then October 7 happened.”
Graham described Hamas’s strategy in brutal terms.
“There is a reason Hamas filmed it; the Nazis did not,” he said. “They wanted you to look. They wanted to harden hearts in Israel and turn the Arab world against any deal.”
‘We cannot afford not to have Israel’
Graham reiterated the security logic behind his support for Israel.
“Israel is a good investment for America because we have common values and common enemies,” he said. “If we had to replicate the IDF’s capabilities in the region, we would have to double our military budget.”
“We cannot afford not to have Israel,” he added. “Israel does more for us than anyone in the region.”
Israel was “the anchor” of American strategy in the Middle East, Graham said, adding that a stronger, more integrated Israel is the key to containing Iran and stabilizing the region.
‘Only Israel can do it’
The path to normalization with Saudi Arabia runs through the dismantling of Iranian-backed terrorist networks, Graham said.
“Hamas needs to go,” he said. “Hezbollah needs to be disarmed. I am not even approaching normalization until Iran’s proxies cannot generate another October 7.”
Graham dismissed the notion that an international force could be deployed to disarm Hamas.
“There is no air force [that is] going to disarm Hamas,” he said. “You will find a unicorn quicker. Only Israel can do it.”
Graham said there should be a tougher approach and urged the international community to set a clear deadline.
“Put Hamas on a clock,” he said. “If they do not give up their weapons, all bets are off. Send Israel in and wipe them out.”
Regarding Lebanon, Graham’s message was equally blunt.
“There is no future for Lebanon as long as it tolerates an armed Hezbollah with the desire to destroy the Jewish state,” he said.
Graham said he was pressing the Trump administration to prepare for joint United States-Israel action if needed.
“Build up the Lebanese army and fly with Israel to take this terrorist organization down,” he said. “It may be provocative to some, but it is irrational to expect peace as long as Hezbollah is armed.”
Targeting Iran’s oil lifeline
Graham also announced plans for new legislation aimed at cutting off Iran’s economic lifeline.
“I am introducing a bill that will punish any country that continues to buy Iranian oil and gas,” he said, citing China as “the biggest buyer” and insisting that it “has to change.”
Graham framed the sanctions as part of a broader effort to weaken Tehran’s ability to arm and fund Hamas, Hezbollah, and other militias throughout the region.
‘Do not let this window close’
Looking ahead to the diplomatic architecture that could accompany a Saudi-Israel agreement, Graham said even controversial moves, such as advanced US aircraft for Riyadh, might be justified if they deliver a historic breakthrough.
“It is the best idea in 3,000 years if it gets Saudi Arabia and Israel to make peace,” he said. “Do not let this window close.”
Despite the bloodshed and political turmoil of recent years, Graham insisted that a rare strategic alignment is emerging in the Middle East.
“There is a unity of purpose here,” he said. “Hamas and Hezbollah are not the future. The Abraham Accords are real. The change in the Arab world is real. Do not miss this moment.”