Senator Lindsey Graham (R-SC) insisted on Tuesday that he’s moving forward with a bipartisan resolution affirming U.S. support for the two-state solution despite Israel’s alleged opposition. “I don’t want to get in the way of Jared [Kushner],” Graham told McClatchy DC, “but I can’t envision a one-state solution. It won’t work. I mean, you’d have to disenfranchise the Palestinians, that won’t work. So if you want to have a Democratic, secure Jewish state, I think you have to have two states to make that work.”

Fred Zeidman, a Houston-based GOP donor and personal friend of the Republican senator, tells Jewish Insider: “I have been close to Senator Graham for many years, and I’ve always had full confidence in him. I’ve never had any reason to doubt his passion or his integrity. “

Zeidman referenced Graham’s recent visit to Israel — which he participated in — and visited the Golan Heights to declare support for U.S. recognition of Israel’s rule over the Golan.

“I also believe that we’ve never had a stronger supporter of Israel in the United States Senate,” he stated. “We’ve obviously had plenty of support – and I don’t want to in any way denigrate any other United States senator – but Senator Graham has been as strong on this as anybody has ever been. He votes his passion, he votes what he believes will work and what is needed, and I think that’s the main reason that he has continued to support a two-state solution. Whether or not there’s any other agenda politically with regard to the administration, I wouldn’t have any idea, but I’ve never known him to compromise his own integrity just for political gain.”

Sander Gerber, who worked with Graham on the Taylor Force Act, emails us: “Senator Graham is such a great supporter of Israel, that to criticize him for following the policy of the Israeli government is unfair. Of course, he knows that the PA is a terror-sponsoring entity and incapable of forging a peace of two states unless it revokes the laws and budgets behind Pay for Slay, and actually recognizes the right of Israel to exist as a Jewish State (and this ignores Hamas!). The fact is that there are alternatives to a two-state solution, but the state of Israel should put those forth, not Senator Graham. Still, Congress furthering the failed policies of the past does not bring peace.”