Tapper presses Graham on ’emotional reaction’ to Gaza

CNN’s Jake Tapper pressed Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) on his “emotional reaction” to the photos of civilians in Gaza.

Graham joined CNN’s “State of the Union” on Sunday morning, where he discussed the recent Israeli strikes on the Iranian-backed Lebanese militant group Hezbollah, which killed several top leaders.

Fears about an all-out war continue, with the death toll in Gaza surpassing 41,000, local health officials say.

“I know Israel has the right to defend itself, but when you see the images of dead Palestinian kids, babies in Gaza, when you see the images of flattened buildings in … the suburbs of Beirut, I understand that Hamas and Hezbollah embed themselves within the populace and that Israel is defending itself. I understand all that,” Tapper said. “But what’s your emotional reaction, when you see, well, your ally … Netanyahu ordering strikes that are killing innocent people?”

Graham said his emotional reaction is to look at Iran, who is “causing all this.”

“It breaks my heart to see any child killed that’s a victim of this conflict,” the South Carolina senator said.

Criticizing the Biden administration, Graham said he spoke with former President Trump about needing to “change the game.” He also told his ally, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, to “not give up.”

“Do not give up. Do not let Iran win. Do the deal,” Graham said.