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‘Great meeting’ with Rubio in Florida, Netanyahu says

The Israeli prime minister is slated to meet with U.S. President Donald Trump on Monday afternoon.

Rubio Netanyahu
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu meets with Marco Rubio, the U.S. secretary of state, in Florida, Dec. 29, 2025. Credit: Courtesy: Israeli Prime Minister’s Office.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that he had a “great meeting” with Marco Rubio, the U.S. secretary of state and national security adviser, in Florida on Monday morning.

Tommy Pigott, principal deputy spokesman at the U.S. State Department, stated that the two met to “discuss regional security, economic cooperation and the fight against antisemitism.”

“Both leaders emphasized the importance of continued cooperation to promote peace and stability in the Middle East, in line with the vision of President Trump’s 20-point peace plan,” he said.

The State Department said the meeting took place in Palm Beach, Fla. The prime minister’s office also released photos of Netanyahu meeting with Pete Hegseth, the U.S. defense secretary, in Florida. Netanyahu wrote in Hebrew that the meeting was “important.”

Video footage that Netanyahu’s office shared appeared to show Rubio and Netanyahu smiling and laughing.

The Israeli prime minister’s visit stateside comes shortly after the Jewish state became the first country to recognize Somaliland and amid reports that Iran is developing chemical and biological weapons.

Rubio Netanyahu
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu meets with Marco Rubio, the U.S. secretary of state, in Florida, Dec. 29, 2025. Credit: Courtesy: Israeli Prime Minister’s Office.

Netanyahu Hegseth
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu meets with Pete Hegseth, the U.S. secretary of defense, in Florida, Dec. 29, 2025. Credit: Courtesy: Israeli Prime Minister’s Office.

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