US Secretary of State Marco Rubio addressed for the first time the joint Israeli-American decision to end direct military aid from the United States to Israel. Rubio praised the move and explained that both countries have moved beyond that stage in their relationship.
Rubio framed the decision as marking a new maturity in Israel's standing: "With regard to the funding question, I think we're past that stage, I think it's clear that Israel has risen beyond that level."
He continued: "Israel is now a wealthy enough country to become a purchasing state, they can buy weapons from us, but there's no longer a need for us to finance them."
Regarding reports of rain and flooding in Gaza, and the Security Council's call to increase winter aid entering the Strip, Rubio said there is a need to advance improvement of the situation in Gaza, and expressed hope that the UN will be able to mobilize resources to act on the matter.
On the fight he is advancing at the International Court of Justice, Rubio explained that it is not being done for Israel's sake, but for American sovereignty: "Today it's Netanyahu; tomorrow it could be an American leader. It's not about the individuals themselves. It's about their claim to jurisdiction over countries that are not party to the treaty. If we wanted to be under their authority, we would have joined. We didn't join."
