News
US Ambassador to UN says days of Israel-bashing are over
(Photo credit: Gage Skidmore, Flickr)
The new US Ambassador to the UN stole the show at the second day of AIPAC, promising a new era at the world body.
Speaking in front of crowd of almost 18,000 people, Nikki Haley vowed to “never again” allow the UN to pass resolutions that are biased towards Israel. Drawing a clear line under the record of her predecessor, Haley described UN Resolution 2334 as a “kick in the gut” and warned other UN members that the US would retaliate against any new attempt to isolate Israel.
She added: “Never do we not have the backs of our friends. We don’t have a greater friend than Israel. And to see that happen was not only embarrassing it was hurtful.”
Haley also referred to Israel’s peace partners, stating that “until the Palestinian Authority does what it’s supposed to, there are no freebies… anymore.”
Also speaking yesterday at the conference were Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Opposition Leader Isaac Herzog.
Netanyahu addressed the audience via satellite link from Jerusalem and said that “Israel is committed to working with President Trump to advance peace with the Palestinians”. He also spoke about the “unique contribution Israel is making to the world, a contribution to humanity that vastly exceeds our size”.
In an interview with Jerusalem Post editor Yaacov Katz, Herzog referred to the convergence of interests between Israel and the Arab states and the opportunity for regional cooperation, suggesting Israel should respond to the Arab Peace Initiative.
He said: “There is another opportunity with this administration for a great change in the region. Tomorrow we will mark 15 years to the launching of the Arab Peace Initiative and I believe Israel should respond to that initiative and I believe we should identify the peace opportunity and I believe we should make another effort.”
Talking about Israel’s desire for peace, Herzog added: “None of us is forgetting our commitment to the Land of Israel or how deep it runs within us. But at the given moment, we will have to take that decision to see how we separate from the Palestinians and make sure that there will be an unequivocal presence of the Jewish homeland of the nation-state of the Jewish people eternally.”