NETANYAHU AND RUBIO STICK TO ESTABLISHED ISRAELI-US NARRATIVE ON GAZA WAR
JERUSALEM, September 15, 2025 - In a joint news conference with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Monday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reaffirmed the countries' long-standing alliance and commitment to mutual defense against what he termed "terror." The meeting came as regional leaders gathered in Doha to condemn Israel's recent attack on Qatar, which Netanyahu had previously acknowledged.
The two-hour meeting between Netanyahu and Rubio was followed by a joint news conference at Netanyahu's West Jerusalem office. In his remarks, Netanyahu emphasized the importance of continued cooperation between their countries. "Rubio's visit is a clear message that America stands with Israel in the face of terror," he said.
Rubio echoed Netanyahu's sentiments, stating that the US and Israel share a commitment to democracy, freedom, and security. "We will continue to work together to protect each other from threats both within and outside our borders," Rubio said.
The meeting between Netanyahu and Rubio took place against the backdrop of an ongoing war in Gaza, which has sparked international condemnation and calls for a ceasefire. The conflict has resulted in significant loss of life and displacement of civilians on both sides.
In his remarks, Netanyahu maintained that Israel's actions in Gaza were necessary to protect its citizens from what he described as "terrorist threats." Rubio did not directly address the issue of Gaza but expressed support for Israel's right to self-defense.
The Arab-Islamic summit in Doha, which concluded earlier this month, denounced Israel's attack on Qatar and called for an end to the war in Gaza. The summit also emphasized the need for a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
Netanyahu's comments on Monday were seen as a reiteration of his government's stance on the issue. In recent weeks, Netanyahu has faced criticism from within Israel and internationally for his handling of the Gaza crisis.
The US-Israel alliance has been a cornerstone of Middle East policy under both Democratic and Republican administrations. The relationship is built on shared strategic interests, including counter-terrorism cooperation and defense agreements.
As the conflict in Gaza continues to unfold, international pressure is mounting on Netanyahu's government to find a peaceful solution. The UN Security Council has held emergency meetings to address the crisis, but no resolution has been reached.
The meeting between Netanyahu and Rubio marked the latest development in a long-standing relationship between the two countries. As the situation in Gaza remains volatile, it remains to be seen how their cooperation will shape future developments in the region.
With reporting by Nathan Howard/Pool via Reuters.
*Reporting by Aljazeera.*
