Lindsey Graham Promises AIPAC Members He Will Cut UN Funding and Derail Iran Negotiations

WASHINGTON — Speaking to the annual American Israel Public Affairs Committee policy conference Sunday morning, Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) threatened to cut funding to the United Nations, who he believes is alienating Israel in the international community and tolerating anti-Semitism in Europe. His promise was met with applause and a standing ovation by the nearly 15,000 AIPAC members in attendance.

Though it wasn’t mentioned explicitly, a majority of lawmakers in Congress are protesting the Palestinian Authority’s recent ascension to the International Criminal Court, the body responsible for prosecuting war crimes. The court, which has retroactive jurisdiction back to June 13, 2014, in Palestinian territories, would be able to investigate possible violations of the laws of war during last summer’s Gaza-Israel conflict. Graham was one of 75 senators who signed a letter to Secretary of State John Kerry in January, urging for a cessation of U.S. funding to the Palestinian Authority.

Though Israel has never officially confirmed its nuclear weapons program, it is widely believed that it developed weapons in the 1960s. Because it is not party to the Non-Proliferation Treaty, its program is not subject to international inspection.

In 2003, The Guardian learned that Saudi Arabia conducted a strategic review to determine if it was comfortable remaining under the nuclear umbrella protection of the U.S., or if it should develop nuclear weapon capabilities of its own. In addition to concern about Iran’s nuclear program, the Saudis expressed concern over Israel’s secret nuclear weapons and the lack of international pressure on Israel over their program.

The Huffington Post