Nikki Haley to speak in Melbourne

FORMER US ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley will be guest of honour at next May’s Mount Scopus College Foundation gala dinner.

Haley, who distinguished herself with her uncompromising support of Israel and unrestrained criticism of the UN’s bias and double standards when it came to the Jewish State, held the role from January 2017 to December 2018.

During a March 2017 speech to the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC), she declared, “The days of Israel-bashing are over,” adding, “For anyone who said you can’t get anything done at the UN, they need to know there’s a new sheriff in town.”

She repeated the sentiment the following year, noting, “In all that we’re doing, our approach on Israel is tied to one major idea – the simple concept that Israel must be treated like any other normal country.”

Among a raft of speeches defending the Jewish State at the UN during her tenure, she dismissed a 2018 resolution that condemned Israel for defending itself against rioters trying to breach the Gaza border as “morally bankrupt”.

Meanwhile, announcing the US was pulling out of the UN Human Rights Council the same year, she stated, “We take this step because our commitment does not allow us to remain a part of a hypocritical and self-serving organisation that makes a mockery of human rights.”

Slamming the “chronic bias” against Israel manifested in its numerous motions condemning the Jewish State, she said, “This disproportionate focus and unending hostility towards Israel is clear proof the council is motivated by political bias and not human rights.”

Anticipating the May 21 event, Scopus Foundation president David Gold said, “We’re looking forward to ambassador Haley visiting Australia for a major event which will engage and energise our members. This will be an opportunity to announce more details of our long-term vision for the college”.

Get The AJN Newsletter by email and never miss our top stories Free Sign Up