“It is baffling to me that antisemitism is not treated with the same disdain as racism or other forms of hate. It is exactly the same.  It must never be tolerated.  It must never be excused.  It must never be rationalized.”

NEW YORK— ‘’In all that we did at the United Nations, our approach to Israel was tied together by one major idea, that Israel must be treated like any other normal country,” said former United States Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley said on Wednesday, upon accepting the World Jewish Congress’ prestigious Theodor Herzl Award from World Jewish Congress President Ronald S. Lauder.

The award recognizes outstanding individuals who work to promote Herzl’s ideals for a safer, more tolerant world for the Jewish people.

“The UN’s bias against Israel has long undermined peace, by encouraging an illusion that Israel will go away. Israel is not going away. When the world recognizes that, then peace becomes possible,” she said.

As a freshman in the United Nations, Haley said, it became clear to her that certain “outdated customs” of the organization, such as bullying Israel, had become common practice – complete with a “monthly Israel-bashing session” in the Security Council.

One of the first lessons she learned, Haley said, is that “the most important thing is to not be afraid to rely on your core values, even when they go against outdated customs… which have gone unquestioned for years. One of those core values is standing up for your friends.”

Furthermore, Haley said, amid the rising threats facing Jewish communities around the world, it is absolutely vital to continue to fight against antisemitism. “It is baffling to me that antisemitism is not treated with the same disdain as racism or other forms of hate. It is exactly the same.  It must never be tolerated.  It must never be excused.  It must never be rationalized,’’ she said.

In presenting the award to Haley, WJC President Lauder underscored her relentless support for the State of Israel, as a leading voice in the fight against the prevailing double standards and biases within the international community.

Calling her “perhaps the most courageous woman in America today” and a “breath of fresh air” who subjected the UN to a “a strong and clear voice of truth, Lauder said: “The Herzl Award comes with our gratitude, and with our deep appreciation. But it also comes at a price. You will not be able to rest because we expect even greater things from you.’’

‘’Like Herzl, you have championed a cause that has, and continues to have, more than its share of enemies,’’ he added.

Lauder also reiterated in his remarks the evolving focuses of the WJC, and the critical nature of providing accessible Jewish education, combating efforts to undermine the State of Israel, and protecting our communities against the rising proliferation of antisemitism from both the far-left and the far-right, as well hate speech as in the digital sphere.

“Today, we are not powerless, and, today, we have a voice – a loud, clear voice – which we intend to use. But you will hear fewer words and see more action. We will fight antisemitism. We will fight neo-Nazis, as well as the antisemitism on the Left. We will keep fighting. Because we are fighting for one thing – the survival of the Jewish people. And I promise you this: we will win.”

Previous recipients of the Theodor Herzl Award include German Chancellor Angela Merkel, the Rothschild family, former US Secretary of State General Colin L. Powell, former US Vice President Joseph R. Biden, former Israeli President Shimon Peres, Elie and Marion Wiesel, former secretaries of state Henry A. Kissinger and George P. Shultz, and, posthumously, Ronald Reagan and Axel Springer.