Jerusalem – U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Jerusalem today, September 14, 2025, as part of a visit that has drawn both praise and condemnation. The meeting occurred after Rubio visited the western Wall, where he affirmed his belief that Jerusalem is the “eternal capital” of Israel – a statement diverging from ancient U.S. policy.
The visit comes amid heightened tensions surrounding the status of Jerusalem, a city holy to Judaism, Islam, and Christianity. the U.S. historically maintained neutrality regarding sovereignty over Jerusalem, particularly its eastern part, which is occupied by Israel. While former president Trump moved the American embassy to jerusalem, a move contradicting international consensus, subsequent administrations have generally avoided explicit endorsements of Israeli sovereignty.
rubios statement at the western Wall (also known as al-Buraq wall or the Wailing Wall) was swiftly criticized by Hamas, which deemed the visit “a flagrant attack on the sanctity” of the Al-Aqsa Mosque, an integral part of the site.
Following the meeting with Netanyahu, Rubio is scheduled to meet with the families of hostages currently held by Hamas. He also plans to attend the inauguration of a tunnel running beneath the Palestinian Silwan neighborhood, connecting Jewish sites near the Al-Aqsa Mosque.The tunnel project has sparked concerns among Palestinians who fear it will lead to restrictions on their access and potentially compromise the structural integrity of their homes.
Responding to questions about the visit, Rubio described the Western Wall as “one of the most critically important archaeological sites in the world.” Though, Palestinians and international observers maintain that such actions lend legitimacy to Israeli claims of sovereignty over East Jerusalem, territory occupied as 1967. Rubio is also scheduled to visit the “City of David” with the head of the Knesset.
