US Ambassador to the UN Nikki Haley (Eskinder Debebe/United Nations via AP)
The US ambassador to the UN responded to a previous comment from the top Palestinian negotiator suggesting that she “shut up,” cautioning the Palestinians that the US will not “chase after them.”
By: World Israel News Staff
Following a speech by Palestinian Authority (PA) President Mahmoud Abbas at the UN Security Council (UNSC) on Tuesday, US ambassador to the UN, Nikki Hale, delivered a blunt message before the international body.
At the outset of her address, Haley explicitly referred to comments from Palestinian brass earlier in the month, stating, “I will decline the advice I was recently given by your top negotiator Saeb Erekat. I will not shut up. Rather, I will respectfully speak some hard truths.”
“The United States stands ready to work with the Palestinian leadership,” Haley remarked, addressing Abbas, who had left the UNSC session after his own speech. “Our negotiators are sitting right behind me, ready to talk. But we will not chase after you. The choice, Mr. President, is yours.”
Haley did not mince words, contrasting the various approaches available to the Palestinians, with “absolutist demands, hateful rhetoric, and incitement to violence” representing one path and “negotiation and compromise” representing a different approach.
“You can choose to denounce the United States, reject its role in peace talks, and pursue punitive measures against Israel in international forums like the UN. I assure that path will get the Palestinian people exactly nowhere toward the achievement of their aspirations,” she warned. “Or you can choose to put aside your anger about the location of our embassy and move forward with us toward a negotiated compromise that holds great potential for improving the lives of the Palestinian people.”
Israel’s ambassador to the UN, Danny Danon, spoke even more forcefully, arguing that Abbas’ speech exposed the Palestinian leader as opposed to peace with Israel, not in favor of it.
“You have made it clear, with your words and with your actions, that you are no longer part of the solution. You are the problem,” Danon declared.
The Prime Minister’s Office declined to disclose further details about the meeting.
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