Haley arrives in Israel, has 'no patience for bullies' at UN
By Aryeh Savir. Source: World Israel News June 7, 2017.
"If there's anything I have no patience for it is bullies, and the UN was being such a bully to Israel," US Ambassador to the UN Nikki Haley told Netanyahu during her visit to the Jewish state.
US Ambassador to the United Nations (UN) Nikki Haley, one of the most outspoken officials in the Trump administration, arrived in Israel for a three-day visit, her first to the Jewish state.
"We are honored to welcome you to our country and thank you for standing resolutely by our side," Israel's Ambassador to the UN Danny Danon said in his greeting. "We look forward to showing you our beautiful country as we work together to further strengthen our alliance."
She first met with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who thanked her for "standing up for Israel, standing up for the truth, which is standing up for America."
Netanyahu: People Appreciate Truth'
"People appreciate truth. We have an ancient Hebrew saying that when somebody tells a truth, you can feel it. So people feel it, they not only understand it, they feel it," he said.
President Donald Trump and Haley have "changed the discourse, have drawn new standards, and everybody's taking up, and that's great," Netanyahu continued. "I think it makes a world of difference, both for Israel and the US. Again, I felt that the UN would collapse, you know, that whole scaffolding of lies would just collapse. I think you've put in that simple word, truth."
"You know, that's all I've done, is tell the truth," Haley responded. "And if there's anything I have no patience for it is bullies, and the UN was being such a bully to Israel, because they could."
"We're starting to see a turn in New York. I think they know they [UN] can't keep responding in the way they've been responding. They sense that the tone has changed," she declared.
'Thrilled to Be in Israel'
"It is a new day for Israel in the United Nations," Haley stated.
As a result of Haley's actions, "we see the beginning of a new era. Israel is no longer alone at the UN. Israel is no longer the UN's punching bag," President Reuven Rivlin said during his meeting with the American diplomat.
Yet while there has been some improvement with the UN's obsession with targeting Israel, "we have a long way to go," he added.
Haley said, "it is an absolute thrill to be here in Israel. I so much appreciate the support we have received from the people of Israel."
Haley is scheduled to visit Jerusalem's Western Wall and the Yad Vashem Holocaust Museum, as well as going to the southern and northern borders by helicopter to gain an understanding of the security situation. She will be accompanied by Danon throughout the trip.
"I am looking forward to taking in the history, the beauty, the tradition, and all that comes with the magic of Israel," she said.
She is also expected to visit the Palestinian Authority (PA) and Palestinian leaders.
Embassy Should be Moved to Jerusalem'
She arrived in Israel just a day after defending Israel at the UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC) in Geneva.
It is "essential that this council address its chronic anti-Israel bias if it is to have any credibility," she said. "It's hard to accept that this Council has never considered a resolution on Venezuela, and yet it adopted five biased resolutions in March against a single country, Israel."
In an interview with CBN\u2018s The Brody File last month, Haley said, "I don't know what the policy of the administration is, but I believe the Western Wall is part of Israel and I think that that is how we've always seen it and that's how we should pursue it. We've always thought the Western Wall was part of Israel."
During the interview, Haley restated her support for moving the US embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem.
"The capital should be Jerusalem and the embassy should be moved to Jerusalem, because [Israel's] government is in Jerusalem. So much of what goes on is in Jerusalem. We have to see that for what it is. The tricky part is where the Palestinians come in on this and where the Israelis comes in on this," Haley said.