Israel's Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar and US Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem on Monday morning held a memorial event honoring Yaron Lischinsky and Sarah Milgrim, who were shot dead outside the Jewish museum in Washington, DC, on Thursday evening.

Sa'ar welcomed Noem, praising her visit, saying it "shows solidarity and demonstrates the close relations between our people."

"Our hearts break for the loss of these young, promising lives," he added, thanking the US government for the intensive investigation into the murders.

"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. No other country in the world has achieved more impressive results in the fight against those who are also the declared enemies of the US."

Sa'ar added: "To our enemies, I say today once again: Israel will never surrender to terrorism."

Taking the microphone, Noem thanked Sa'ar, and said that US President Donald Trump had asked her to visit Israel "to stand with all of you and to honor Sarah and Yaron."

"Today we stand together with profound grief and our hearts are heavy with the loss of these two radiant souls that we will no longer have with us," Noem said. "Their lives were so full of promise and love and dedication, and may they be an inspiration to us of how to live our daily lives as well."

"They were people who recognized they were created to serve others," she added. "Their love for each other - a bond that was so strong that Yaron had already chosen a ring to propose to Sarah here in Jerusalem - it reminds us of the dreams that terrorism seeks to destroy every single day. But we will not let hatred have the final word."

"Sarah and Yaron's lives are a testament to the power of love and service. They stood for something that was much larger than themselves and their memory calls us to do the same. They have lived a life of significance that has forever changed us. Together they embodied the very best of Israel - courageous, hopeful, and dedicated to peace."

US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee spoke after Noem, noting that it is the first time that a US Homeland Security secretary has visited Israel on Jerusalem Day.

Sending condolences to the families of Yaron and Sarah, he noted, "Their lives were taken from them last week; their lives should have been celebrated this week, as they were going to become engaged here in Israel and plan for a life together."

"Instead, because of an act of hateful terrorism, their lives were taken from them. But their memories will not be taken from any of us, and we should always be mindful that there are people who pay an incredible price to simply be Israelis and Jews."

Welcoming Noem to Israel, Huckabee stressed that her visit offers "a sense of confidence that the relationship between our nations will never waver, nor will it ever falter."