Former U.S. ambassador to Japan on Sen. Lindsey Graham’s passing and recent trip to Israel
(CBS, KYMA) - Rahm Emanuel, the former U.S. Ambassador to Japan and former Mayor of Chicago, spoke with Margaret Brennan on Face the Nation Sunday to discuss the passing of Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.).
A statement provided by his office says Sen. Graham died Saturday night "from a brief and sudden illness."
"You lost a patriot. We disagreed, but we weren't disagreeable about it. There were three things we worked on. One, he represented John McCain. I represented then Senator Obama on the debate rules. Two, when we had a meeting during the transition, Senator McCain, Lindsey, the president-elect, myself, we agreed to work on a national service bill, which we actually got done in spring '09 that doubled the size for Americorps and for the Peace Corps. And then third, our final, which was really the most difficult, but we got to an agreement, which was to close Guantanamo. It was Senator Levin, Lindsey, myself representing the administration. We got to a final issue. The attorney general was against it, which was the trial of the sheikh, which he wanted civilian. Lindsey said it had to be military court to get the 15 votes. That's not what happened, and so therefore, and it was one political analysis which I thought was accurate, versus a legal analysis which was maybe by the law but wasn't going to happen. And so we worked at my desk as the chief of staff. I don't know the dozen meetings between Carl Levin, myself, and the senator that would actually have closed Guantanamo, moved all the prisoners out and brought that chapter to America to end. Now, did we see everything 100%? No. Did we find compromise? Absolutely."
During the interview, Brennan and former Ambassador Emanuel talked about the latter's recent trip to Israel, with Emanuel delivering a speech that was very critical of Palestine's leadership failure.
He also faulted Arab states for "not doing more in a credible way for the Palestinian people," as well as took aim at Israeli Prime Minster Benjamin Netanyahu for leading the country into a dead end.
When asked what he hoped his speech accomplished, Emanuel said:
"It was not just a criticism, all those are clear, and I...stated that. And I also said the United States made mistakes in the past. But I laid out a plan that gets out of Israel being a pariah. It's went from a technological prowess to a territorial pariah, and for a small nation, that's not survivable. In 22 years, it will be 100 years old. You cannot survive like this. So, one, not a two-state solution, a 23-state solution, taking the Arab League's offer to recognize the state of Israel, all 21 nations, if they come to an agreement on security for the state of Israel, which is essential, and Palestinian sovereignty. That's Israel's best day and Iran's worst day. Second, building off the India Mideast European Economic Corridor, which would be the most important trade route, and put Israel's technological prowess at the center, break into the economic integration that's happening. So that was a plan. Others can offer theirs, but to me, it addresses the single most important thing for the future of this alliance...that you cannot reduce your national security apparatus with military power, economic statecraft, political persuasion, and cultural attraction reduce three of them and let them atrophy, and your entire national security apparatus has only military power. And that's an example of how Israel has a breakout that is good for alliance. The United States is strong with NATO. You can see that in public opinion. The United States public opinion is also strong with our Asian allies. This is the only ally that is in the low 20s in support. That is not a sustainable path for an alliance that's essential for Israel, America security."
To watch more of Brennan's interview with Emanuel, click here.
