Nikki Haley in Meeting with Netanyahu: Now is the Time to Focus on Iran

On Thursday, March 8, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met with U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley at the UN headquarters. During this meeting, Haley emphasized that now is the time to focus on Iran. According to reports from this meeting, Netanyahu expressed gratitude for Haley's efforts and the Trump administration's support for Israel in UN institutions and for the 'correct positions of the U.S. regarding Iran.' Netanyahu also visited an exhibition showcasing the millennia-long presence of Jews in Jerusalem, held at the UN headquarters in New York. Israeli media and news agencies reported that Netanyahu described Haley's support for Israel's positions as 'extraordinary' and referred to her as 'Nikki the Stormy' in Israel, stating that she has not only brought a fresh atmosphere to the UN but has also sparked a tsunami of fresh air by defending the 'truth' of Israel. Israel has long complained that the numerous resolutions passed by the UN General Assembly and Security Council against the country are 'discriminatory' due to the numerical majority of members against Israel. However, during her 15 months representing the U.S. at the UN, Haley has repeatedly criticized the previous policies of the organization regarding Israel and has caused changes in some of the UN's views on Israel. The U.S. has also adopted a similar stance at UNESCO, warning the organization about budget cuts and its withdrawal from this cultural, scientific, and educational body of the UN due to the continuation of discriminatory policies against Israel. In her meeting with Netanyahu at the UN, Haley discussed U.S. efforts to change the organization's and its institutions' views on Israel, stating that the UN's positions on Israel have been 'very offensive' and that her heart aches for Danny Danon (Israel's ambassador to the UN) who has to endure them. The U.S. ambassador to the UN also said, 'Now we must focus on Iran, and I am very concerned for Israel; ... now they (Iran) must decide, and the worry is that they may not make the right decision; this is what we are focused on.' Netanyahu also told Haley that 'the central challenge that the UN faces must be addressing the Iranian regime; the full focus of the U.S. President on the danger of Iran, its nuclear program, and Iran's aggressive nature in the region is the right thing to do.' The Israeli Prime Minister added that the concerns arising from Iran 'have mobilized not only Israel and the U.S. but almost the entire Middle East.' According to Israeli media, Netanyahu and the U.S. ambassador discussed the effects of the ongoing Syrian civil war on the situation in Israel and other parts of the region; Israel has long expressed serious concerns about 'the consolidation of Iranian military presence in Syria.' After the meeting with Haley, Netanyahu also told representatives of his country's media that during his trip to the U.S., he was asked for his opinion on the nuclear program of Arab countries, and he said, 'The main danger arising from Iran must be addressed. The only way to prevent other countries in the region from pursuing nuclear programs is to take enrichment away from Iran.' The Israeli Prime Minister also stated that the JCPOA, which recognizes Iran's enrichment, must either be completely amended or canceled. He reiterated this view in a speech this week at AIPAC and also in a meeting with Donald Trump at the White House. As reported earlier by Business Insider, Saudi Arabia has recently been negotiating with the U.S. for a nuclear program due to concerns about Iran. According to this report, U.S. Energy Secretary Rick Perry, during a trip to London two weeks ago, inquired about Britain's views on recent negotiations with Saudi Arabia regarding a potential nuclear program. The exhibition 'Jews in Jerusalem' in the hallways of the UN. According to Israeli media, after his working meeting with Haley, Netanyahu, accompanied by his wife and also by Zeev Elkin, the Israeli Minister for Jerusalem Affairs, and Danny Danon, the Israeli ambassador to the UN, visited the exhibition 'Three Thousand Years of History: Jews in Jerusalem' held in the hallways of the UN. Several of the most important historical artifacts showcasing the millennia-long life of Jews in Jerusalem, obtained from archaeological excavations in Jerusalem and loaned from important Israeli museums, are displayed in this temporary exhibition at the UN. Signs of the remnants of the 'Jewish Kingdom' during the time of the First Holy Temple in Jerusalem, various seals and coins from the time of the Jewish prophets, as well as several important historical documents are on display in this exhibition. Benjamin Netanyahu considered the holding of this 'stunning exhibition' at the UN as one of the results of the current U.S. government's efforts, stating that such an event would have been unimaginable ten years ago. According to the Israeli Prime Minister, this exhibition 'shows the truth of the long history of the Jewish nation and its ancient connection to Jerusalem, which has been the eternal capital of the Jews.' Three months ago, U.S. President Donald Trump recognized Jerusalem as the capital of Israel; the U.S. has also announced that it will move its embassy in Israel to Jerusalem within two months. The Palestinian observer representative at the UN did not respond positively to the holding of the three-thousand-year history exhibition of Jews in Jerusalem in the hallways of the UN.