Ambassador Nikki Haley addressed the United Nations Security Council on December 8, 2017, regarding the U.S. decision to move its embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem. In her remarks, Haley emphasized the longstanding significance of Jerusalem as Israel's capital and highlighted historical U.S. support for this recognition.
"The Jewish people are a patient people," she stated, noting that Jerusalem has been central to their identity through centuries of foreign conquest and exile. Haley also pointed out that "for nearly 70 years, the city of Jerusalem has been the capital of the State of Israel."
The ambassador reminded attendees that in 1995, the U.S. Congress declared Jerusalem should be recognized as Israel's capital and called for relocating the embassy there. She noted past presidents agreed with this stance but did not act on it.
Haley clarified President Trump's recent decision: "The President has announced that the United States recognizes...that Jerusalem is the capital of Israel." However, she stressed that boundaries or borders remain undetermined and must be resolved through Israeli-Palestinian negotiations.
She further assured that "the United States is not predetermining final status issues" and remains committed to a two-state solution if agreed upon by both parties involved.
Addressing concerns about potential violence following this decision, Haley asserted: "To any person...that uses this week’s decision as a pretext for violence – you are only showing yourselves to be unfit partners of peace."
Haley criticized what she described as UN hostility towards Israel, stating: "The UN has done much more to damage prospects for Middle East peace than to advance them." She reaffirmed U.S. commitment to fair treatment in international forums.
In closing, Haley expressed hope for future generations: "Palestinian and Israeli children both deserve a future of peace." She urged all countries involved to focus on achieving lasting peace between Israelis and Palestinians.