Israel's President Shimon Peres, right, shakes hands for photographers with US Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla. during their meeting in the President's residence in Jerusalem, Wednesday, Feb. 20, 2013. (AP Photo/Sebastian Scheiner)
JERUSALEM (AP) — An influential Republican senator has called Jerusalem the capital of Israel, taking a stand on an explosive issue between Israel and the Palestinians.
The fate of Jerusalem is one of the most intractable issues in the Mideast conflict with both Israelis and Palestinians claiming rights to the city.
In his first official visit to the country, Florida Sen. Marco Rubio told Israel's president on Wednesday that Jerusalem is "of course the capital of your country." He reiterated America's bipartisan support for Israel.
Rubio, a favorite of his party's conservative wing, met Israeli President Shimon Peres and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
His visit comes ahead of President Barack Obama's scheduled visit in March. Obama has not made a similar declaration about Jerusalem.
Friday, May 24 2013 1:03 PM EDT2013-05-24 17:03:31 GMT
AP photo
Actress Amanda Bynes was arrested Thursday for allegedly smoking marijuana in the lobby of her Midtown Manhattan building and throwing a marijuana bong out of a window, said police.
Actress Amanda Bynes was arrested Thursday for allegedly smoking marijuana in the lobby of her Midtown Manhattan building and throwing a marijuana bong out of a window, said police.
Friday, May 24 2013 12:50 PM EDT2013-05-24 16:50:33 GMT
County sheriffs have asked to join the federal lawsuit challenging New York's tough new gun restrictions, calling some provisions vague and impossible to enforce fairly.
County sheriffs have asked to join the federal lawsuit challenging New York's tough new gun restrictions, calling some provisions vague and impossible to enforce fairly.
Friday, May 24 2013 12:43 PM EDT2013-05-24 16:43:54 GMT
The unofficial start of summer is being met with not-so-perfect beach weather. Many beach communities had been hoping for good weather this Memorial Day weekend following the destruction caused by superstorm Sandy.
The unofficial start of summer is being met with not-so-perfect beach weather. Many beach communities had been hoping for good weather this Memorial Day weekend following the destruction caused by superstorm Sandy. The Fox 5 weather team is calling for sunny skies on Sunday and Monday.
Friday, May 24 2013 11:12 AM EDT2013-05-24 15:12:21 GMT
AP photo
President Barack Obama plans to give the Jersey Shore a boost with a post-Memorial Day visit to showcase recovery efforts in the aftermath of Superstorm Sandy.
President Barack Obama plans to give the Jersey Shore a boost with a post-Memorial Day visit to showcase recovery efforts in the aftermath of Superstorm Sandy.
Friday, May 24 2013 9:23 AM EDT2013-05-24 13:23:33 GMT
New Jersey's education commissioner has overturned the firing of a high school athletic director who was caught on camera putting dog waste on his ex-wife's car.
New Jersey's education commissioner has overturned the firing of a high school athletic director who was caught on camera putting dog waste on his ex-wife's car.
Israel's President Shimon Peres, right, shakes hands for photographers with US Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla. during their meeting in the President's residence in Jerusalem, Wednesday, Feb. 20, 2013. (AP Photo/Sebastian Scheiner)
