Rubio: ‘They Can’t Even Tell You Where the Palestinian State Is’

Rubio: ‘First of all, none of these countries has the ability to create a Palestinian state.’

By Vered Weiss, World Israel News

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio sharply criticized Canada, France, and the United Kingdom for their recent decisions to recognize a Palestinian state, arguing the move undermines hostage negotiations and strengthens Hamas.

Speaking with Fox News host Brian Kilmeade, Rubio dismissed the recognitions as empty gestures. “They can’t even tell you where this Palestinian state is,” he said. “They can’t tell you who will govern it. It’s counterproductive.”

Rubio stressed that statehood cannot be imposed unilaterally. “First of all, none of these countries has the ability to create a Palestinian state. There can be no Palestinian state unless Israel agrees to it,” he said. “At the end of the day, the Hamas side is the Palestinian statehood side.”

According to Rubio, the timing of these recognitions threatens US diplomatic efforts to secure a ceasefire and free Israeli hostages held in Gaza.

“If Hamas refuses to agree to a ceasefire, it guarantees a Palestinian state will be recognized by all these countries in September,” he warned. He added that Hamas now believes it is “winning the PR war,” which makes the group less inclined to compromise.

In an unusual acknowledgment, Rubio credited Qatar for assisting in negotiations and even pressuring Hamas.

“I think the moment of truth has to arrive, however, where there have to be consequences if Hamas continues to disagree,” he said.

He also rebuked international media coverage, particularly the BBC, for focusing on Israel’s actions while neglecting the plight of the hostages.

“Very little coverage paid to the hostages, the families,” he said. “You know what the cameras don’t capture? The suffering of 20 people living in tunnels right now, taken hostage by Hamas for almost, for a long time. No one’s covering that. No one’s talking about that.”

The Trump administration echoed Rubio’s criticism. On his Truth Social account, President Donald Trump wrote: “The fastest way to end the Humanitarian Crises in Gaza is for Hamas to SURRENDER AND RELEASE THE HOSTAGES!!!”

Later, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters that Trump views the recognition of Palestine as a concession to terrorism.

“He feels as though that’s rewarding Hamas at a time where Hamas is the true impediment to a ceasefire and to the release of all of the hostages,” she said.

“The President wants to see all of the hostages released. He cares deeply about this. He has met with many of the former hostages, many of the families of those who have loved ones who are still being held hostage in Gaza,” Leavitt added. “It is absolutely devastating what these poor people have been through.”