Trump's UN Pick Will Relay Congress's Fury Over Israel Vote

"One of Nikki Haley's first jobs after winning confirmation to be Donald Trump's envoy to the United Nations will be to bring U.S. lawmakers' fury -- and threats to cut funding -- over criticism of Israel to the global body's doorstep...

The UN has a 'biased and ugly approach' to Israel, exemplified by the 'one-sided' resolution passed last month, Senator Ben Cardin of Maryland, the top Democrat on the Foreign Relations Committee, told Haley at her confirmation hearing Wednesday.

Haley ... acknowledged the vote on Israel will affect her UN agenda, telling senators that the Security Council resolution was 'a terrible mistake, making a peace agreement between the Israelis and the Palestinians even harder to achieve.'

'Nowhere has the UN's failure been more consistent and more outrageous than in its bias against our close ally Israel,' she said...

Israel was a frequent topic at Haley's confirmation hearing. Republican Senators Ted Cruz and Lindsey Graham have put forward legislation to cut off all UN funding until the Israeli vote, which passed 14-0, is reversed.

Haley gave a nod, though not an explicit endorsement, to those efforts in her Wednesday testimony, saying her experience as governor taught her the importance of accountability when spending taxpayer money.

'To your credit, the Congress has already begun to explore ways the United States can use its leverage to make the United Nations a better investment for the American people,' Haley said. 'I applaud your efforts, and I look forward to working with you to bring seriously needed change to the UN.'..."