Article content

JERUSALEM — 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.

We apologize, but this video has failed to load.

tap here to see other videos from our team. Try refreshing your browser, or Republican Senator Marco Rubio, presumptive 2016 presidential candidate, calls Jerusalem the capital of Israel Back to video

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.