A visit with high symbolism: on Sunday (14.09.2025), to Jerusalem, Benjamin Netanyahu welcomed the US Secretary of State Mark Rubio At the Wall of Tears, in the Old Town. “This visit proves the power of the Israeli -American alliance. It is as strong and enduring as the stones of the walls of the tears we have just touched, “the Israeli prime minister said.
Accompanied by the US Ambassador to Israel, Mike Haccabi, Marco Rubio – a faithful Catholic – prayed silently wearing a kipa. The three of them then visited the archaeological tunnels under Esplanada where the second temple once rose. Benjamin Netanyahu described the US official as a “real friend of Israel”, adding that “with Trump and Rubio, our alliance has never been so strong.”
A visit with a strong political dimension
Officially, Rubio downgraded the importance of his presence in eastern Jerusalem, annexed by Israel in 1967, assuring that he considers the wall “one of the most important archaeological sites in the world”. However, as analysts point out, this visit can be perceived as a tacit recognition of Israeli sovereignty in the Old Town.
Prior to his arrival, Rubio had assured that Donald Trump “wants Hamas’s defeat”, the end of the war and “the return of the 48 hostages”, some of which have already died. In a post on X, he added: “Hamas cannot continue to exist if the goal is peace in the area.”
Asked about the Israeli raid on Doha, which cost the life of several Hamas executives and caused the rage of Qatar, Washington’s ally, Rubio avoided being positioned: “Everything that happened. The essential thing is to think about the next step. “
On my way to Jerusalem. My focus will be on securing the return of hostages, finding ways to make sure humanitarian aid reaches civilians, and addressing the threat posed by Hamas.
Hamas cannot continue to exist if peace in the region is the goal. pic.twitter.com/60DWTkLSfC
— Secretary Marco Rubio (@SecRubio) September 13, 2025
Finally, according to Israeli media, Netanyahu took advantage of the meeting to detect Washington’s attitude towards a plan by his government: the annexation of parts of the occupied West Bank. A perspective openly promoted by some far -right ministers, especially if countries such as France are recognizing a Palestinian state.