U.S. Secretary of State Visits Israel Amidst Rising Tensions & Concerns Over Palestinian Statehood
JERUSALEM - U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio arrived in Israel Sunday, embarking on a visit intended to reaffirm American support as the country faces international scrutiny following recent strikes in Qatar and ahead of a potential wave of recognition for a Palestinian state at the United Nations. Rubio and his wife, Jeanette Dousdebes, were greeted at Ben-Gourion airport in Lod.
Rubio is scheduled to visit the Western Wall with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin netanyahu on Sunday, with substantive discussions planned for Monday before his departure Tuesday. The visit follows criticism from U.S. President Donald Trump regarding Tuesday’s Israeli attack targeting officials from the Palestinian Islamist movement in Qatar, a key U.S. ally.
Despite the disagreement, Rubio sought to downplay lasting damage to the U.S.-Israel relationship. “This attack will not change the nature of our relationship with Israel, but we will have to talk about it, and [discuss] the impact that it will have,” he told journalists prior to his departure.
according to the U.S. department of state, a primary objective of Rubio’s trip is to bolster Israel’s confidence in U.S. support as several countries prepare to recognize a Palestinian state during the upcoming UN General Assembly.
