Incoming Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer on Wednesday called on Gov. Nikki Haley to “stick up for Israel” if she is confirmed as President-elect Trump’s ambassador to the United Nations.
Trump announced Wednesday he selected Haley to represent the U.S. at the U.N., an organization Schumer criticized for imposing “one-sided resolutions” when it comes to a peace deal between Israel and the Palestinians.
Schumer said he wants Haley, now the Republican governor of South Carolina, to make defending Israel a priority if she is confirmed by the U.S. Senate, which is guaranteed as long as there’s a consensus among Senate Republicans.
“Aside from representing the United States and pursuing our strategic goals at the United Nations, one of the most important jobs the UN Ambassador has is to stick up for one of America’s most trusted and loyal and strategic allies — Israel,” Schumer, D-N.Y., said in a statement. “I hope that Governor Haley shares that view, and look forward to hearing from her on this issue, and many others, as she seeks confirmation by the Senate.”
Sen Chris Coons, D-Del., said in a statement Haley should provide her “unvarnished opinion” to Trump, who Haley criticized for proposing a ban on Muslims from entering the United States.
“I commend Governor Haley for rejecting during the campaign President-elect Trump’s divisive rhetoric and for calling his proposed ban on Muslims from entering the U.S. for what it is — unconstitutional and un-American,” Coons said.
