In a recent meeting in Jerusalem, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu welcomed U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and his delegation. The discussions between the two leaders covered several key issues concerning the Middle East, including Iran's nuclear ambitions, the situation in Gaza, and the ongoing challenges in Syria and Lebanon.
Netanyahu expressed gratitude for Rubio's visit and emphasized the strong alliance between Israel and the United States under President Trump's administration. "Throughout your political career you’ve been a great supporter of Israel and a great champion of the U.S.-Israel alliance," said Netanyahu. He also highlighted their shared stance on preventing Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons: "We agreed that the ayatollahs must not have nuclear weapons."
The release of hostages held by Hamas was another critical topic. Netanyahu thanked Secretary Rubio for America's assistance in securing their release, underscoring cooperation with President Trump: "I thanked Secretary Rubio for President Trump’s assistance in helping us secure the release of another three hostages yesterday."
Secretary Rubio acknowledged Israel's efforts against terrorism and reaffirmed U.S. support for its security measures. He stated, "Hamas cannot continue as a military or government force... They must be eliminated." Additionally, he stressed that Iran remains a significant destabilizing force in the region.
The leaders discussed international forums perceived as biased against Israel and America, such as the UN Human Rights Commission. They explored strategies to address these concerns collaboratively.
Rubio concluded by reiterating America's unwavering support for Israel under President Trump's leadership: "You can always count on us as long as I am in this position and President Trump is in the White House."
The meeting reinforced both nations' commitment to confronting regional threats while fostering mutual cooperation.