Meeting with with U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley on the sidelines of the 73rd Session of the UN General Assembly on Friday afternoon, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu praised the American diplomat for her acumen, and for “clearing the stench” of anti-Semitism that he was “so used to encountering” in the chambers of the world body.
“I speak as Israel’s former ambassador to the United Nations, and I have the stage there every year, so every year I say what I have to say about the UN,” Netanyahu said. “But I said yesterday that the hall is still full of the stench of anti-Israel and anti-Semitic decisions – which are the same thing. I want to thank you for cleansing the bad air from this hall,” he said.
“The moves you have made with President [Donald] Trump regarding UNESCO, UNRWA, anti-Israel resolutions and resolutions condemning Hamas are simply amazing… I would like to thank you and say how many people in Israel and many friends of Israel around the world appreciate this. We appreciate this and I want to thank you for that,” he added.
Haley thanked the prime minister, and replied with a smile, “There is still much more to do.”