President Trump has made a superb choice in selecting South Caroline Governor Nikki Haley to serve as our ambassador to the United Nations. Ambassador Haley is a bright, savvy, and right-thinking public servant who will make us proud in her new and difficult role as this is arguably one of the most difficult and impossible jobs anyone could imagine. Soon enough, it is likely that Ambassador Haley will feel like Dorothy in The Wizard of Oz, when she begins to recognize that “We’re not in South Caroline any more, Toto.”
Ambassador Haley has made it perfectly clear in carrying out her task that “The days of Israel-bashing are over in the United Nations.” Representatives from nations whose agenda seemingly is as a single issue: Hate Israel, blame Israel, destroy Israel.
Ambassador Haley describes herself as the “new sheriff in town” and emphatically states that the United States will not be pushed around any longer, strong words coming from this newcomer to the world of diplomacy. Ambassador Haley is clearly entering a lion’s den in attempting to meet with success in her daunting role.
Ambassador Haley will hear the often-repeated refrain that Israel treats Arabs brutally, that Israel is the reason there is no two-state solution with the Palestinians, that Israel shows blatant discrimination against the Arab world, and that Israel’s powerful military is over-zealous in defending the Jewish state, especially when it is attacked.
Ambassador Haley will discover that it isn’t politically correct to challenge her U.N. colleagues when they twist and turn the truth against Israel and Israel’s prime minister, who, it appears, is armed with a new best friend in President Trump.
President Trump is determined to do the impossible: make a 180-degree shift in foreign policy as compared to previous administrations. Ambassador Haley’s undertaking deserves support and praise. All 100 senators signed a letter asking for equal treatment of Israel by the United Nations. May the Almighty bless her and give her the health, strength, courage, and personal wisdom to carry out this noble endeavor in the years ahead.
President Ronald Reagan once said, “The people of Israel and America are historic partners in the global quest for human dignity and freedom. We will always remain at each other’s side.”
The famous prophet Michah, in his time, foretold of a future when everyone might sit under his own vine and his own fig tree, where no one would cause him harm or fear. We should pray that Ambassador Haley has success and that through her efforts all nations will be able to live in peace, security, and amicability.
Dr. Shavick is former Director of Education, Maryland State Department of Health and Mental Hygiene. He can be reached at asshavrick@gmail.com.
