US Secretary of State Marco Rubio met Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Jerusalem, when he started his first tour in the Middle East.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio began his first tour in the Middle East with a visit to Israel.
He met Israeli Prime Minister Benyamin Netanyahu on Sunday, with whom he discussed the controversial proposal from US President Donald Trump to transfer the Palestinian population outside the Gaza Strip and relocate it permanently in Egypt and Jordan.
At a common press conference with Benyamin Netanyahu, Marco Rubio admitted that Donald Trump’s opinions were daring and that they had been able to shock or surprise more than one, but he insisted that one change was necessary to guarantee a different future in the region.
“What cannot continue is the same cycle where we repeat ourselves again and again and where we find ourselves in the same place”said Marco Rubio.
The latter said that Donald Trump’s plan required courage to be implemented, while congratulating the 47th President of the United States for his speech style “Clear and unambiguous”. The American Secretary of State also stressed that Hamas should be completely eliminated and eradicated to guarantee lasting peace “Hamas cannot remain a military or government force. And frankly, as long as it remains a force capable of governing or administering, or a force capable of threatening by violence, peace will become impossible”.
Benyamin Netanyahu said on Sunday that he was going ahead with Donald Trump’s proposal. The plan was announced last week at the White House after the Israeli Prime Minister met the American president in Washington. Benyamin Netanyahu describes this proposal as “The only viable plan to allow a different future”.
Benyamin Netanyahu says he and Donald Trump are working in “full cooperation and coordination”, Before praising Donald Trump and qualifying him as “Bigger friend that Israel has ever had in the White House”.
The Israeli leader also warned that “The doors of hell will be open “ If Hamas does not respect the terms of the ceasefire agreement. He added that he had discussed Israel’s response with Donald Trump in this case, but did not give more details on what was planned.
“We have a common strategy and we cannot always share the details of this strategy with the public”, said Benyamin Netanyahu
Rubio and Netanyahu also discussed a series of other regional questions. Benyamin Netanyahu announced that Israel undertook to respect the cease-fire agreements concluded with Lebanon and declared that it was waiting for the new Lebanese government that he shows the same commitment.
Syria was also on the agenda, and the two men discussed Israeli responses to any conflict or violence that could arise. Israel says he is ready to defend himself against any attack on his territory and warns against any climbing of tensions or provocation.
Rubio will then go to Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates as part of his tour. In Riyadh, Marco Rubio and his delegation should also meet Ukrainian and Russian officials in order to discuss the means of putting an end to the war that has been going on for almost three years in Ukraine.
The American Secretary of State has chosen not to go to Egypt and Jordan, two regional allies of the United States, after their refusal to accept any influx of Palestinian refugees.
Donald Trump warned that he could reduce American aid if these countries did not comply, which would have devastating consequences on the economy of the two countries.
