A Voice That Will Be Missed

As the American ambassador to an institution infamous for its inherent bias, Ambassador Nikki Haley was a ringing voice of fairness and reason. As a governor, and as a U.N. ambassador, Haley, the daughter of Indian immigrants, never hesitated to speak her mind. In a world of doublespeak and backstabbing, she earned accolades for being a straight shooter and an honest broker.

Shortly after the surprising news became public that Ambassador Haley would be leaving her post at the United Nations, fellow ambassadors from a range of countries – both friends and foes – reacted with warm personal words.

France’s U.N. Ambassador Francois Delattre put it well in describing Ambassador Haley as “one of the most talented, most authentic U.S. government officials that I have ever met.”

Even the ambassadors of Russia and Bolivia, countries that have very strong policy differences on a host of issues with the United States, had high praise for Haley.

During her less than two years at the post, Haley racked up a significant record of accomplishments. She led the Trump administration’s efforts to combat the blatant anti-American and anti-Israel actions in the U.N. When President Trump decided to withdraw from UNESCO and to cut funding to UNWRA, it was Haley who so articulately and powerfully explained to the world the logic behind these actions. When the U.N. General Assembly voted to condemn America for moving the embassy to Yerushalayim, Haley put the world on notice that the U.S. will be “taking names” of member states who voted for that shameful resolution.

Other than the United States, the country that will probably miss Haley the most will be Israel. As one of the most passionate and eloquent defenders of Israel in the history of the United Nations, Haley rightfully earned the deepest gratitude of the Jewish community.

Israel’s ambassador to the U.N. Danny Danon released a statement expressing appreciation to her “for standing with the truth without fear,” and for “representing the values common to Israel and the United States.”

The general assumption is that Ambassador Haley will now be heading to the private sector – unlike many other public officials she is not independently wealthy and neither her previous job as governor of South Carolina nor her current one is particularly well-paying. Yet it is widely expected that at some time in the future she will return to public office.

A grateful country will be waiting.

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