WASHINGTON — Republican US senator-elect Marco Rubio of Florida, a darling of the archconservative "Tea Party" movement, heads to Israel this weekend for a private visit, his spokesman said Friday.
"Senator-elect Rubio and his wife Jeanette will be making a private and personal visit to the Holy Land next week," Alex Burgos told AFP by email, stressing that details of the trip "will be kept private."
"Senator-elect Rubio is also working with pro-Israel supporters to make an official trip back to Israel early next year after he is sworn into office," said Burgos.
Rubio, 39, cruised to easy victory in Tuesday's elections over his Democratic and independent rivals and was immediately anointed one of the Republican party's rising stars and potential vice presidential hopeful.
"He's never been to Israel before, he's always told us he wants to go," Israel's deputy consul general in Miami, Paul Hirschson, told AFP by telephone.
Rubio, who takes office in January, had no scheduled meetings with Israeli government officials, said Hirschson, who joked that the senator-elect wanted some down-time before what is likely to be a hectic congressional session.
"I don't think he's going to have too much free time," said the diplomat, who said Rubio was bringing his wife.
Hirschson said the Israeli consulate in Miami had long suggested to Rubio, who leaves Sunday, that he visit the staunch US ally and tour the country.
"We always recommend to people that they go Jerusalem, Yad Vashem," the Holocaust memorial in Jerusalem, said Hirschson. "It's a tiny country, but there is a great deal to see."
Poster Comment:
Tells me everything I need to know about Rubio, indeed.
