Less than a week has passed since Israel's strike in Doha, with its results still not entirely clear, and yet US Secretary of State Marco Rubio landed in Israel. The very fact of his visit sends a resounding message to the Arab world, particularly to Hamas terrorists and their supporters.
It is hard to imagine such a visit under the previous administration. Every trip by Rubio's predecessor, Antony Blinken, triggered tension in Jerusalem: smiles for the cameras, followed by long lists of demands that rarely aligned with Israel's interests in the war in Gaza. The comparison between the Jewish diplomat of the last administration and Rubio, the devout Catholic who was photographed yesterday at the Western Wall, speaks for itself.
As for the timing, just days after Washington went out of its way to distance itself from Israel's strike in Doha in order to preserve its delicate dual relationships, Rubio's pre-planned visit was not canceled. That in itself says more about the strength of ties between the two countries than any interview given by Trump or Rubio.
Before taking off for Israel, the secretary of state clarified that what happened in Qatar would not affect bilateral relations. Still, images are stronger than words: standing shoulder to shoulder with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in prayer at the Western Wall, with a shared hope, perhaps unspoken but audible nonetheless, that US support for Israel will hold for as long as needed.
Honored to visit the @westernwall_il in Israel's eternal capital, Jerusalem, with @USAmbIsrael Huckabee and @IsraeliPM Netanyahu. pic.twitter.com/djQw7W0fiH
— Secretary Marco Rubio (@SecRubio) September 14, 2025
Behind closed doors, however, the assessment among insiders is that Trump's generous leeway for Israel's war in Gaza will expire by the end of the calendar year, and Jerusalem must adapt accordingly. This timeline may not fit Israel's operational needs on the ground, but unlike the Biden administration's weapons embargoes and arm-twisting, the dialogue today is constructive. That does not guarantee what comes next, since Trump is pushing for adjustments to keep moving toward his vision of a regional peace deal. But for now, Israel enjoys a vital American safety net, something not to be taken for granted on the eve of entering Gaza City.
Rubio's visit will culminate tomorrow at the City of David in Jerusalem. Some say the entire diplomatic trip, including his meetings with the prime minister and cabinet ministers, was designed around that stop. Trump administration officials crossing into Judea and Samaria, as well as East Jerusalem, almost routinely, without issuing major declarations, are normalizing the Jewish state's presence beyond the Green Line.
By landing in Israel just after the strike on senior Hamas operatives in Doha, Rubio delivered that message without needing many words: Israel has the right to exist in this region and to defend its citizens wherever they may be. That legitimacy must now be translated quickly into bringing the hostages home and securing victory in Gaza.
