Sa'ar to Meet Rubio in Washington for Diplomatic Discussions

Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar left tonight (Sunday) to the United States for a meeting with Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Wednesday, at the latter's request:

"Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar departed tonight for a political visit to the United States.

"During the visit, Minister Sa'ar will meet with Secretary of State and National Security Advisor Marco Rubio, at his invitation.

"The meeting between the two will take place in Washington, at the U.S. State Department on Wednesday. This will be their second meeting, after they met last February during the Secretary of State's visit to Israel.

"Minister Sa'ar will also meet with U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem, whom he hosted in Israel in May following the murder of Yaron Lishinsky and Sarah Lynn Milgram, of blessed memory, employees of the Israeli Embassy in Washington.

"During the week, Minister Sa'ar will also meet with the Conference of Presidents (the umbrella organization of Jewish organizations in the U.S.), AIPAC leadership, and will hold a reception for Jewish community leaders and Christian friends of Israel."

Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar gave a speech earlier this month to the United Nations, harshly criticizing European and other countries for attacking Israel and unilaterally recognizing a Palestinian state, encouraging Hamas to dig in and not become flexible enough for a hostage deal:

"The world has been turned upside down. There are countries that acted - also in this building - to pressure Israel instead of Hamas, during sensitive days in the negotiations. By attacking Israel. Campaigning against Israel. And their announcement to recognize a virtual Palestinian state. They gave Hamas free gifts and an incentive to continue this war. They directly assassinated the hostage deal and ceasefire. They gave Hamas free gifts."

He also said that "These countries prolonged the war. Hamas is responsible for beginning this war - by invading Israel and committing the October 7th atrocities. Hamas is also responsible for the continuation of this war - by still refusing to release our hostages and lay down its arms. The international pressure must be on Hamas. Anything else – only prolongs this war."