Israeli FM praises Trump's support for Israel with visiting envoy

Israel's foreign minister on Monday praised US President Donald Trump's commitment to Israel and fighting anti-Semitism during a visit by the US homeland security secretary.

"President Trump and his administration show great commitment to fighting terrorism and antisemitism. I believe your visit here is part of it", Gideon Saar said during a joint press conference with US official Kristi Noem.

This came after a memorial event honouring Israeli embassy staffers Sarah Milgrim and Yaron Lischinsky, who were shot dead at a Jewish museum in Washington last week by a gunman who shouted "free Palestine" as he was arrested.

"Israel has no greater friend and ally than the United States. We thank you for your support. And the US also has no partner more effective than Israel," Saar added.

Noem said: "Following the horrific terrorist attacks in Washington, DC, that took the lives of Sarah Milgrim and Yaron Lischinsky, President Trump asked me to come here to Israel to stand with all of you and to honour Sarah and Yaron."

The visit comes as Israel ramps up its campaign in the war-ravaged Gaza Strip in what it says is a renewed effort to destroy Hamas.

Noem was accompanied at her meeting with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu by US Ambassador Mike Huckabee, the premier's office said in a brief statement Sunday night.

Earlier Sunday, Noem and Huckabee had visited the city's Western Wall, where early celebrations for Monday's "Jerusalem Day" were taking place.

The holiday commemorates what Israel considers Jerusalem's reunification under its authority after the city's eastern sector was captured by its forces in the 1967 Arab-Israeli war.