Secretary of State Marco Rubio visited Israel on Sept. 14 after the country’s fight against the Hamas terrorist group led to a military strike in Qatar and increased action within the Gaza Strip.
Rubio and President Donald Trump met with Qatar’s prime minister on Sept. 12 about the fallout of the Israeli operation that targeted Hamas leadership in the capital city of Doha.
At least six people were killed in the strike, and both Hamas and the Qatari government spoke out against the attack, stating that it meant Israel did not want to reach an agreement. Trump also expressed disapproval of the strike.
As Rubio left for Jerusalem, he made clear that he would address the strike on Qatar and how it would affect discussions surrounding Gaza. However, he still stood against Hamas and said that the U.S.–Israel relationship was still strong.
Rubio and his wife visited the Western Wall on Sept. 14 along with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his wife and U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee and his wife.
“I think [Rubio’s] visit here is a testament to the durability, the strength of the Israeli–American alliance,” Netanyahu said. “It’s as strong and as durable as the stones of the Western Wall we just touched.”
Rubio’s visit comes after an increase in military action in the Gaza Strip, which has resulted in the death of 13 people as of Sept. 14, leaving dozens of others wounded, according to local hospitals.
The visit also comes amid mounting international pressure to officially recognize a Palestinian state, which Netanyahu strongly opposes.
Trump has also argued that recognition of a Palestinian state would only reward Hamas, and Rubio recently warned reporters of potential negative results, such as an undermining of efforts in Gaza and the possibility that Israel would choose to annex the West Bank.
