Constitutional law professor Alan Dershowitz told Newsmax on Tuesday that his first contact with the late Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., came when Graham was a House member from South Carolina and working for the impeachment of former Democratic President Bill Clinton.
Dershowitz told "Bianca Across the Nation" that the two of them initially "fought like children," describing their interactions as "at each other's throats, on the opposite side of the table."
But Dershowitz said over time they became the best of friends. "We really came together over Israel," said Dershowitz.
He said Graham showed an understanding of issues facing Jews and Israel better than nearly everyone in Congress.
"He had the best understanding of Israel of any member of the United States Senate, with some exceptions. He understood Benjamin Netanyahu. He understood his strengths and his weaknesses. He understood President (Donald) Trump, and he was able to bring people together," Dershowitz said.
Dershowitz said Graham's capable use of humor helped him connect with everyone.
"So, he always found grounds on which to agree with people rather than disagree, even when he had differences," Dershowitz explained.
Graham died suddenly late Saturday of apparent cardiac system complications. But Dershowitz said he accepts the call by some for at least a cursory investigative review of the circumstances. "Look, anybody who opposed Iran," he said, "and who dies suddenly should be investigated."
He said it may be troubling for some but still necessary considering Graham was a strong supporter of Trump and his actions against Iran.
"Let's put it to rest. Let's have a determination that clearly indicates that this was medically induced, a cardiac event that killed him," Dershowitz said. "That's tragic enough, but I have no problem with at least preliminary investigations to assure everybody else that this was not anything that the Iranians did."
He added, "The Iranians would have done it if they could have. He was on the list. Trump is on the list."
Graham's sister, Darline Graham Nordone, has been named as her late brother's temporary replacement in the U.S. Senate.
South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster announced at a news conference at the statehouse on Monday that Nordone would serve the remaining months on Graham's current term, which expires in January.
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