google-site-verification: googlec7193c3de77668c9.html

Rubio meets Netanyahu to discuss fallout from Qatar strike

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio is meeting Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Jerusalem, with the aftermath Israel’s strike in Qatar last week expected to be high on the agenda.

The strike, which targeted senior Hamas leaders on the close US ally’s territory, drew international outrage and was criticised by President Donald Trump.

Rubio earlier told reporters: “Obviously we’re not happy about it. The president was not happy about it. Now we need to move forward and figure out what comes next.”

The meeting comes as Arab leaders hold a summit in a show of support for Qatar. Its prime minister urged the international community to stop applying “double standards” and to punish Israel.

The Gulf state hosts a major US airbase and has played a key role in brokering diplomatic efforts to end the war in Gaza, serving as a mediator of indirect negotiations between Hamas and Israel.

On Sunday, Netanyahu told reporters that the US-Israel relationship was as “durable as the stones in the Western Wall” while he and Rubio made a short visit to the holy site in Jerusalem’s Old City.

Also expected to be under discussion between the pair are Israeli military plans to seize Gaza City and Israel’s continued expansion of settlements in the occupied West Bank.

The meeting comes ahead of a UN General Assembly meeting next week, at which some leading US allies – including the UK, France, Canada, Australia and Belgium – are expected to recognise the State of Palestine.


BBC News

Views: 3

See also  Why our railways often seem to be in such chaos over Christmas

Check Also

Israeli 'double-tap' strike kills three rescue workers in Lebanon, officials say

They are among five people officials say were killed in successive attacks on Tuesday. BBC …

1744207783 537ff930 6139 11ee b101 6f93d6dfbcc2.png

United Arab Emirates to quit oil cartel Opec

The UAE says it is leaving the Opec and Opec+ groups of major oil producing …

Ukraine accuses Israel of receiving shipments of grain 'stolen' by Russia

Israel’s foreign minister says it has received no evidence to support the claim that a …

Leave a Reply

Available for Amazon Prime
Lexonads | free ad network | automated website traffic.