Rubio says recognition of Palestine just emboldens 'barbaric animals' Hamas
Rubio says recognition of Palestine just emboldens 'barbaric animals' Hamas
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has dismissed countries that have recognised a Palestinian state during a visit to Israel, stating the move as "largely symbolic" and one that only emboldens Hamas.
Speaking at a news conference after meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Rubio said he believed the move - and promises - by a range of countries to recognise Palestine were an impediment to peace.
"They have really no impact whatsoever about bringing us any closer to a Palestinian state," he said. "The only impact they actually have is it makes Hamas feel more emboldened."
Norway, Spain and Ireland announced their recognition of Palestine in May 2024 amid Israel's genocide in Gaza, joining 146 other countries in the UN.
The UK and France have also said they would recognise a Palestinian state in September in response to Israel's actions.
Standing next to Netanyahu, Rubio reiterated his country's "unwavering support" for Israel and denounced Hamas as “barbaric animals".
"The people of Gaza deserve a better future, but that better future cannot begin until Hamas is eliminated," he said.
'Constructive role'
Rubio's visit comes as the fallout from Israel's attack on Qatar continues. A staunch ally of the US, Qatar holds one of the region's key American bases.
The 9 September strikes on Doha targeted a meeting of leaders from Hamas's political bureau who were there to discuss a ceasefire proposal for Gaza, where nearly 65,000 people have been killed since the war broke out.
None of the Hamas leadership targeted in the strike was killed or wounded, but Hamas leader Khalil al-Hayya's son, an office assistant and a Qatari security officer were among the six killed.
Rubio said they would continue to support Qatar's "constructive role" in mediating in Gaza.
"We're focused on what happens now, what happens next, and what role Qatar could potentially play in achieving an outcome," he said, referring to the war in Gaza.
"We will continue to encourage Qatar to play a constructive role in this regard."
Netanyahu defended Israel's attack, comparing it to the action taken by the US after 9/11.
"We take full responsibility because we believe that terrorists should not be given safe haven, and that those who planned the worst massacre of the Jewish people since the Holocaust should not be given immunity," he said.
He claimed the countries criticising the attacks had failed to condemn violations of Pakistan or Afghanistan's sovereignty when the US hunted al-Qaeda.
"You don't have such sovereignty when you effectively give terrorists a base," he said.
Regional and global allies have rallied to support Qatar after the attacks.
The United Arab Emirates on Friday summoned the Israeli ambassador over the attacks, according to Reuters.
The UN Security Council issued a statement ahead of Thursday’s emergency meeting, agreed to by all 15 members, including the US.
Qatari prime minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim al-Thani said Israel’s strikes on Qatari soil constituted “state terror” and that Netanyahu should be "brought to justice".
Maximum pressure
During his visit to Israel, Rubio also reiterated that US President Donald Trump would maintain his campaign of "maximum pressure" against Israel's regional rival Iran.
"A nuclear Iran governed by a radical Shiite cleric that possesses not just nuclear weapons potentially but the missiles that could deliver those weapons far away is an unacceptable risk, not just for Israel, not just for the United States, but for the world," he told the press conference.
"There will continue to be maximum economic pressure on Iran until they change course."
Israel launched attacks on Iran on 13 June, saying that it wanted to remove any chance of Tehran developing nuclear weapons.
It attacked Iranian nuclear and military facilities, and assassinated high-profile security, intelligence and military figures, as well as nuclear scientists.
Tehran, which denies it seeks a nuclear weapon, retaliated with ballistic missile strikes on Israeli towns and cities. At least 935 Iranians were killed and 28 people in Israel.
Israel, which is widely believed to have its own nuclear weapons, reportedly utilised over 200 fighter jets to drop hundreds of munitions across Iran.
Meanwhile, the US bombed Iranian nuclear sites in Fordow, Isfahan and Natanz, marking the first US strikes on Iranian soil.
