Religious justification for massacre of Gaza people; Which God is Lindsey Graham talking about?

Pars Today – Lindsey Graham, the warmongering U.S. senator, has opposed any reduction in American aid to the Zionist regime, claiming that doing so would subject his country to divine punishment.

Lindsey Graham, the Republican senator and a close ally of Donald Trump, strongly criticized the potential cuts in U.S. financial aid to Israel during his speech at the 58th annual "Silver Elephant" event in South Carolina. He warned that such a move could lead to "divine punishment" for the United States. 

These statements not only reflect Graham's political stance as a staunch supporter of Israel but also reveal the deep theological and cultural roots among American Evangelicals, who view Israel as central to their religious and political beliefs. 

In his speech, Graham described Israel as "America's most reliable ally in the Middle East" and a so-called "besieged democracy" facing enemies determined to destroy it. Ignoring international reports documenting the killing of over 61,000 Palestinians in Gaza, he endorsed Israel’s plan for a full occupation of the territory, framing it as the solution to ending the war with Hamas. 

This stance, which has drawn widespread condemnation, underscores Graham’s deep ties to an ideology that views unconditional support for Israel not just as a political necessity but as a religious duty. 

American evangelicals, especially conservative Protestants, play a key role in shaping U.S. political support for Israel. This group, which makes up a significant portion of the Republican Party’s voter base, adheres to apocalyptic beliefs that view Israel as central to the fulfillment of biblical prophecies, particularly concerning the return of Jesus Christ. According to these beliefs, the establishment of the State of Israel in 1948 and its control over Palestinian territories, including al-Quds, are seen as signs of the approach of the “last days.”

Many evangelicals believe that supporting Israel is a divine duty, and that any deviation from it could provoke God’s wrath. Graham, who is active in the conservative state of South Carolina, maintains close ties with this voter base, and his remarks about “divine punishment” directly refer to these beliefs.

By invoking “divine punishment,” Graham implicitly alludes to a biblical passage in which God calls the Jewish people “the chosen people” and promises: “I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse” (Genesis 12:3).

For evangelicals, this verse signifies unconditional support for modern Israel, and any reduction in financial or military aid to the state can be perceived as a “curse,” bringing about divine consequences. This view, prevalent among Christian Zionist groups, has turned support for Israel into a non-negotiable principle.

Of course, Graham’s remarks are not merely a religious stance but also have deep political roots. As a prominent senator and a close ally of Donald Trump, he benefits from the financial and political support of powerful pro-Israel lobbies such as AIPAC (the American Israel Public Affairs Committee). These groups play a key role in funding election campaigns and shaping U.S. foreign policy in West Asia.

In addition, by supporting the plan to occupy Gaza and disregarding the reported atrocities, Graham seeks to reinforce a hawkish stance that enjoys popularity among some Republicans. He had previously called for massive bombings of Gaza and large-scale killings, comparing them to the devastating bombings of Tokyo and Berlin during World War II, as well as the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki—remarks that reflect an inhumane and criminal approach.

When Graham speaks of “divine punishment,” he refers to a God who, in evangelical theology, is seen as the protector of Israel as the chosen people. In this view, God supports Israel’s actions—even large-scale military operations in Gaza—because they are regarded as part of the divine plan to fulfill apocalyptic prophecies.

However, this perspective has faced widespread criticism, as many argue that such an interpretation of the Bible serves to justify human atrocities and violations of human rights in Gaza.

Lindsey Graham’s remarks about “divine punishment” in the event of reduced aid to Israel stem from the deep alliance between American evangelicals and Israel, rooted in both theological beliefs and political interests. With such statements, he seeks to reassure conservative voters and pro-Israel lobbies, while his disregard for the humanitarian crisis in Gaza has provoked widespread criticism. This stance highlights the sharp divide between evangelical views and global condemnation of Israel’s policies, once again underscoring the role of theology in shaping U.S. foreign policy.

One must truly ask: what kind of terrifying and oppressive god is it that has taken shape in the minds of these Western warmongers? A god who demands the massacre of children and women, and takes pleasure in their starvation. It seems that if there is any rationality in the West, it should distance itself from these worshippers of Israel and subject them to treatment—for they proclaim the voice and will of Satan as the will of the Merciful God.