Israel’s leaders paid emotional tribute Sunday to U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham following his sudden death, remembering the South Carolina Republican as one of the Jewish state’s strongest and most steadfast allies.

Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu said Graham understood that “the security of Israel and America are inseparable.”

“He devoted his life to defending America, strengthening our alliance and standing up for the free world,” Netanyahu said.

“Israel has lost one of its greatest friends. America has lost a great patriot. I have lost a beloved friend.”

According to a source in the Prime Minister’s Office, Netanyahu is considering traveling to the United States to attend Graham’s funeral. The trip could coincide with plans already underway for a meeting with President Donald Trump in the coming weeks.

Graham, one of Israel’s most vocal supporters in Congress, died Saturday evening after what his office described as a “brief and sudden illness.” NBC reported that emergency responders were dispatched to his Washington home following a reported cardiac arrest.

President Isaac Herzog said he was “shocked and heartbroken” by the news.

“Senator Graham was a beacon of moral clarity and a true leader of the US-Israel partnership,” Herzog said. “We will never forget how he stood by the people of Israel in our most difficult moments.”

Defense Minister Israel Katz said Graham “stood with Israel in its most difficult moments, worked tirelessly to strengthen the strategic alliance between Israel and the United States, and was an unwavering voice in support of Israel’s security and its right to defend itself.”

Katz noted that Graham visited Israel repeatedly following the October 7 Hamas massacre, standing “shoulder to shoulder with our people in an extraordinary demonstration of solidarity and unwavering friendship.”

Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar described Graham as “a man with a huge heart and rare personal charm.”

“He was endowed with a clear vision of reality and true commitment to values. His support for Israel and its security was boundless,” Sa’ar said. “The State of Israel has lost a great friend. Israel will not forget you, friend.”

Throughout his Senate career, Graham was among Israel’s most outspoken defenders, repeatedly advocating strong U.S. military support and taking a hardline stance against Iran, Hamas, and Hezbollah. Following the October 7 attack, he urged the United States to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with Israel and argued that Hamas could not be allowed to remain in power.

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