Former US ambassador to UN who was previously exposed to details of the Centennial Plan: "Getting to a place where we can help Palestinians be in better shape - without hurting Israel"
Photo: Joshua Yosef
"Israel's national security was a priority in the Centennial Plan. We knew we would not do anything to compromise on security, and there would be no deal if either party disagreed."
This is how Nicki Haley, former US ambassador to the United Nations (2017-2018) tonight (Monday) at the launch of the Israeli Center for Addictions held at the Tel Aviv Museum of Art.
"The goal is to get to a better position for the Palestinians - without hurting Israel. The Palestinians said they will not come to the table (discussions), but the key is how Arab states respond to the plan. The US will not try to push one Parties. At the end of the day, it should be a decision between Israel and the Palestinians, ”she stressed.
Photo: Reuters
She added, "The plan is viable and I hope everyone will keep an open mind. You deserve peace and this is the time to take a brave step forward. My hope is that Arab society will want to push the matter forward. Their last chance. "
About the timing of the program's announcement she said with half humor. "I can say that when you look at the Israeli elections it's hard to know when it will end," the audience laughed and Haley continued. "If they avoided publishing the program, they could have waited a long time."
Regarding the rise in anti-Semitism, she said. "We see it in anti-Semitism not just in the US and we need to educate more on the phenomenon. Not doing enough to learn about the Holocaust. It is important that we recognize anti-Semitism. It is a hatred and must not be condemned under any circumstances. "In that regard, she noted that" U.S. President Donald Trump signed (last month) a presidential decree against anti-Semitic statements on campus of higher education institutions. "
On President Trump's behavior, she added: "He is keeping promises. In every area - Iran's restriction, the US embassy's move to Jerusalem and eliminated Suleimani. The world is a safer place without it, "she concluded.
Nicki Haley and President Donald Trump // Photo: IP
Later, Haley, who served as President Donald Trump's Cabinet and National Security Council, referred to her time at the United Nations and consolidated her position on Middle Eastern affairs. "After 1967 (Arab states) understood that Israel could not be beaten on the battlefield and therefore went on a diplomatic war. When I was at the UN, I found out that it was a "habit". They don't hate Israel. They don't care that the decision against Israel will pass or not. In addition, other countries see Israel favorably. In general, once they see the country - their perception of it has changed Israel's ambassador to the United Nations, Danny Danon, did the best he could to bring their representatives to Israel, "she said.
Haley continued: "It is important that we talk not only about the Palestinians but about the innovation that Israel has, the education and what it has to offer to the world. We never hate Israel as much as we think. It is like an addiction that we must admit that there is a problem here,"
Haley, who used to be the governor of the South Carolina state - the first woman in that position - told of female leadership. "As a governor, I focused on mental health because if it is treated, you can have a normal life. Do everything you can to help those who cannot help themselves. Israel is one big family and you have to care for each other and I hope you do." She says, "When you're dealing with a crisis situation the important thing to do is to push forward. That's how you discover how strong you are. Otherwise you don't know how strong you are. It's important to fight for what you believe in because you don't know who's standing next to you. , Concluded with humor.