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(CNN)-- Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Sunday that he shares the grief of Americans following the death of US Senator Lindsey Graham, who was considered one of the most prominent supporters of Israel in Washington.

Netanyahu added: "Lindsey is a great friend of Israel, and a dear friend to me. Israel had no better friend than Lindsey."

He continued: "Lindsey understood that the security of Israel and the United States are inseparable. He devoted his life to defending America, strengthening our alliance, and standing with the free world. Israel has lost one of its greatest friends, America has lost a great patriot, and I have lost a dear friend," adding, "May his values and initiatives continue to guide us toward victory and peace, and may his memory be blessed forever."

Netanyahu's remarks align with statements from other Israeli officials who praised Graham's role over the years in defending continued US support for Israel.

Israeli President Isaac Herzog described Graham as 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 Israeli people in its most difficult moments, and we will always be grateful for his righteousness, honesty, and loyalty."

For his part, Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz described Graham as a "true friend" of Israel, expressing his "deep sadness" at the senator's death, calling him a "dear friend whose legacy will endure for generations."

Former Israeli Prime Minister Yair Lapid said that "Graham's warmth, cheerful spirit, and vitality will be greatly missed."

Graham (a Republican representing South Carolina) died following a sudden health issue. He held a seat in the US Senate for more than two decades, known for his hardline stances on foreign policy, calling for military intervention in Iran and Iraq, and was one of the most prominent advocates of US support for Israel and Ukraine. His political career was also linked to a close relationship with the late Senator John McCain, before later becoming one of the closest allies of US President Donald Trump, despite criticizing him at the beginning of his political career.

According to an audio recording obtained by CNN, emergency teams responded to a cardiac arrest at Graham's home on Saturday evening, and he died shortly after returning from a visit to Ukraine, which he had visited several times since the Russian invasion in 2022.

Graham was first elected to the Senate in 2002, and was preparing to run for a fifth term this fall. He turned 71 last week.

Before entering politics, he worked as a lawyer and served six years in the US Air Force as a prosecutor and defense lawyer. In his youth, he lost his parents, which led him to care for his younger sister Darlene, whom he later adopted.