Rubio Meets Qatar’s Prime Minister Before Visiting Israel

September 13, 2025 4:40 am

WASHINGTON (AP) — Secretary of State Marco Rubio met with Qatar’s prime minister Friday before he visits Israel this weekend. It shows how the Trump administration is trying to balance relations between key Middle East allies days after Israel targeted Hamas leaders in a strike on Doha. The trip to Israel is a show of support for the increasingly isolated country before the United Nations holds likely contentious debate on the creation of a Palestinian state. Trump and special envoy Steve Witkoff had dinner with the Qatari premier later Friday. The Trump administration is walking a delicate line between two major allies after Israel’s strike in Doha, where Hamas leaders had gathered to consider a U.S. proposal for a ceasefire in Gaza.