Jan 30 2025

Graham Statement on Passing of Robbi Force

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina) today released the following statement on the passing of Robbi Force. Robbi was the mother of Taylor Force, a West Point graduate and United States Army veteran who was visiting Israel as a part of a Vanderbilt University program. He was brutally stabbed and murdered by a Palestinian terrorist. The Palestinian Authority praised Force’s killer as a ‘heroic martyr’ and paid the killer’s family a monthly cash stipend. At the time, Taylor’s parents, Robbi and Stuart, lived in Kiawah Island, South Carolina.

“I am very sad to hear of the passing of Robbi Force, who was the mother of Taylor Force, the young man murdered by a Palestinian terrorist. Afterward, the terrorist was hailed as a hero by the Palestinian Authority, and the killer’s family received martyr payments.

“As a result of this outrage, I authored and was able to pass the Taylor Force Act, which cuts off U.S. aid to the Palestinian Authority for the martyr payment practice.

“Robbi was instrumental in getting this law passed. She and her husband, Stuart, were tireless advocates for this cause.

“Robbi was a kind and sincere woman. There is some comfort in knowing she is now reunited with her dear son, Taylor. My prayers are with Stuart and the entire Force family. May she rest in peace.”

Background:

After Taylor Force’s murder, Graham introduced and successfully passed the Taylor Force Act into law to prohibit American taxpayer dollars from going to the Palestinian Authority in response to the practice of martyr payments. Graham is also a cosponsor of legislation to sanction members of Palestinian leadership and organizations who reward terrorism.

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