U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley on Thursday spoke ahead of a U.N. General Assembly vote to condemn the U.S. decision to recognize Jerusalem as Israel's capital, and said the U.S. will remember those who vote against it.
"I've often wondered why, in the face of such hostility, Israel has chosen to remain a member of this body, and then I remember that Israel has chosen to remain in this institution because it's important to stand up for yourself," Haley said.
Egypt called for a vote at the U.N. General Assembly after the United States vetoed a resolution put to the Security Council rejecting Washington's decision to recognize Jerusalem as Israel's capital and its intention to relocate the U.S. embassy there, CNN reported. The U.S. cannot veto General Assembly motions, which are non-binding.
Haley accused the U.N. of disrespecting the United States by attacking its Jerusalem decision.
"We'll be honest with you, when we make generous contributions to the U.N., we also have a legitimate expectation that our goodwill is recognized and respected," Haley said.
Haley argued that the United States "is being asked to pay for the privilege of being disrespected," and threatened to cut off funding to the U.N.
"We have an obligation to acknowledge when our political and financial capital is being poorly spent. We have an obligation to demand more for our investment. If our investment fails, we have an obligation to spend our resources in more productive ways," Haley said.
Critics of the embassy decision say it will hurt peace efforts, a view Haley dismissed. She said it's within America's rights to choose the location of its embassy.
"The United States will remember this day in which it was singled out for attack in the General Assembly for the very act of exercising our right as a sovereign nation," Haley said.
"This vote will make a difference on how Americans look at the UN and on how we look at countries who disrespect us in the UN and this vote will be remembered," she added.
Prior to Thursday's address, Haley referenced her upcoming speech Wednesday on Twitter, quoting President Donald Trump's view on those who criticize the U.S. decision on Jerusalem.
Referencing tomorrow's UN vote criticizing the US embassy move. In the words of the President, "Let them vote against us, we'll save a lot." pic.twitter.com/eUGWD4cCBR
— Archive: Ambassador Nikki Haley (@AmbNikkiHaley) December 20, 2017