Over Memorial Day weekend, U.S. Secretary Kristi Noem made a visit to Israel in response to a tragic event that happened just a few days earlier in Washington, D.C.
Two Israeli embassy staff members, Yaron Lischinsky and Sarah Lynn Milgrim, were killed in what the FBI is calling a terrorist attack.
The FBI’s director, Kash Patel, described the attack as deliberate and serious.
Officials are still investigating who was behind it and why it happened, but it’s already being treated as an act of terrorism with international implications.
In response, President Donald Trump sent Noem to Israel to meet with leaders and show support.
Following the horrific terrorist attack in Washington DC killing two Israeli diplomats, @POTUS Trump asked me to visit Israel and meet with Prime Minister @netanyahu.
Hate will not have the last word. pic.twitter.com/Le83Zo3Sqp
— Secretary Kristi Noem (@Sec_Noem) May 26, 2025
During her visit, she sat down with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar.
The meetings focused on how both countries can work together to handle threats like this and make sure steps are taken to keep people safe.
The trip happened over Memorial Day weekend — a time when many Americans are remembering those who gave their lives for our country.
While people back home were visiting cemeteries and spending time with family, Noem was overseas honoring two people who lost their lives on American soil while serving their country in a different way.
She also stopped at the Western Wall in Jerusalem, which is one of the most sacred sites in Judaism.
It’s a place where many go to pray and reflect, and Noem followed that tradition by leaving a written prayer tucked into the stones — a quiet, personal gesture during a very public visit.
Not surprisingly, the trip got mixed reviews.
Some said it was the right move and appreciated the show of solidarity, others thought the timing might have been a little off.
A few questioned why a state-level official like Noem — rather than someone from the State Department — was sent.
But the White House made clear this wasn’t just about titles. It was about trust and delivering a message in person.
There were also some who wanted more information about the attack itself — like who planned it, what their motive was, and how the government plans to stop something like this from happening again.
Right now, federal investigators are still working on those answers.
Noem’s visit was about responding to a serious loss of life with a show of support. It also gave both countries a chance to talk face-to-face about the growing threats they’re dealing with.
Security experts say trips like this are important — not just for what’s said in press releases, but for the private conversations that happen behind closed doors.
Whether or not you follow foreign policy closely, it’s clear this was a moment that called for a response.
Two people lost their lives in a targeted attack on U.S. soil. That’s not something anyone takes lightly.
We’ll learn more as the investigation continues. For now, the message from the trip seems clear: in times of trouble, standing together still matters.
This article was written with the assistance of AI. Please verify information and consult additional sources as needed.
