World leaders and senior public figures are attending the funeral service for Senator Lindsey Graham at the National Cathedral in Washington tonight (Tuesday).
The ceremony was attended by United States President Donald Trump, Prime Minister Netanyahu, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, and dozens of senior American officials.
The late senator was known for his staunch support for Israel and Ukraine and his tough line against Russia and Iran. The day before his death, he met with Zelensky in Kiev, on his tenth visit to Ukraine since the beginning of the Russian invasion.
In his final days, he worked to promote a new bipartisan package of sanctions against Russia.
Before the ceremony, Prime Minister Netanyahu and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky held a rare meeting. The two were seen talking. The two leaders had separate meetings with President Trump earlier in the day.
Graham, who represented South Carolina in the Senate, died suddenly on July 11 of heart disease, at the age of 71.
Trump, whom Graham opposed early in his political career but later became one of his most prominent supporters, said their relationship "ultimately turned into a great friendship," calling him "a great politician and a great gentleman.".
Fox News host Sean Hannity addressed Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in his remarks, saying that Graham was thrilled to be at the ceremony. "Lindsay Graham was very excited that Netanyahu came all this way to be here today. Lindsay loved Netanyahu. He loved Israel. He loved the people of Israel.
He added that Graham considered Israel one of the United States' most consistent and loyal allies.
Hannity said Graham aspired to lasting peace in the Middle East, but believed there was no way to achieve it until evil was defeated.
