By Michael Koziol

Copyright theage

“I think much of that is a reaction to several nations around the world deciding to unilaterally declare a Palestinian state,” Rubio responded, without specifically naming any country.

“We warned them that we thought that was counterproductive. We actually think it’s undermined negotiations because it emboldened Hamas, and we think it undermines future prospects of peace in the region.

“We thought it was unwise to do that, and I think you’re seeing [the annexation talk] as a counter-reaction. It’s what we thought would happen. We warned them that this kind of action would happen among some in Israeli government if they did what they did.”

In an interview with Fox News, Rubio repeated those points, and stressed that the recognition of Palestine by European nations, Canada “and other countries” was purely symbolic.