Nikki Haley, the newly appointed U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, phoned her Israeli counterpart on Monday to reinforce America's "ironclad support" for the Jewish state.
Haley pledged to Ambassador Danny Danon that she would block anti-Israel actions taken by the U.N., citing the security council's decision last month to condemn Israel for erecting settlements in the West Bank and East Jerusalem.
During her confirmation hearing before the Senate earlier this month, Haley vowed a pivot in U.S. policy toward Israel. The former South Carolina governor criticized the Obama administration's decision to abstain from the U.N. vote, calling the resolution a "terrible mistake."
"I will not go to New York and abstain when the U.N. seeks to create an international environment that encourages boycotts of Israel," Haley said on Jan. 18. "I will never abstain when the United Nations takes any action that comes in direct conflict with the interests and values of the United States."
Haley also met with Ukrainian Ambassador Volodymyr Yelchenko on Monday to reaffirm the U.S.'s support for the country's sovereignty and "territorial integrity." The meeting was notable given President Donald Trump's prior claims that he would consider recognizing Crimea as Russian territory.
Haley has not yet spoken with her Russian counterpart.
Haley on Monday also met with the permanent U.N. representatives for the United Kingdom and France.