US Secretary Rubio Inaugurates Contested Archaeological Site Jerusalem

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio recently inaugurated the fully excavated Pilgrim's Road at the City of David National Park in East Jerusalem, a site of deep archaeological and religious significance for Jews, located near the contested Temple Mount. Rubio hailed the site as "one of the most important archaeological sites on the planet" and emphasized its shared Judeo-Christian heritage during a private event attended by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and U.S. Ambassador Mike Huckabee. Netanyahu underscored Jerusalem's unity under Israeli control, countering Turkish President Erdoğan's claims, and praised U.S. President Donald Trump's recognition of Jerusalem as Israel's capital. However, the excavation and the settler-led expansion of the archaeological park in Silwan have been criticized for displacing Palestinian residents, with human rights groups and locals accusing Israel of ethnic cleansing and illegal home demolitions. Critics argue that Rubio's support for the project and Israel's claims in East Jerusalem undermine Palestinian rights and the prospects for a Palestinian state, intensifying international tensions ahead of potential UN recognition of Palestinian statehood. Israeli officials defend the excavations as conducted with high standards by the Israel Antiquities Authority, emphasizing the historical and cultural importance of the site.