From the moment of U.S. President Harry Truman’s immediate recognition of Israel as a new sovereign nation in 1948, Americans and Israelis have had a united front in their shared commitment to democracy, economic security and security in the volatile Middle East.

Israeli’s survival over the last seven decades is nothing short of miraculous. The tiny nation, slightly larger than New Jersey, stands alone in an area besieged by constant religious and civil unrest.

“If you don’t believe in miracles here, you aren’t a realist,” said David Ben-Gurion, Israel’s first prime minister and minister of defense.

Nikki Haley, who served as the first female governor of South Carolina and the 29th ambassador to the United Nations, is a staunch supporter of Israel ... and a realist.

“Israel has been forced to live under constant security threats like virtually no other country in the world,” she stated in a speech. “It should not have to live that way. And yet, Israel has overcome those burdens. It is a thriving country, with a vibrant economy that contributes much to the world in the name of technology, science, and the arts.”

In a speech before the U.N. Security Council in February of 2018, Haley said: “Nowhere has the UN’s failure been more consistent and more outrageous than in its bias against our close ally Israel.”

Those words proved prophetic last week when the United Nations General Assembly voted 152-5 in favor of a resolution that demands Israel destroy all its nuclear weapons arsenal and allow inspectors from the International Atomic Energy Agency to visit its nuclear facilities.

Three countries - Canada, Micronesia and Palau, joined Israel and the United States in opposing the resolution. Another 24 countries abstained, including some members of the European Union.

Like Ambassador Haley, Pa. Sen. Pat Toomey realizes the importance of maintaining a strong relationship with Israel - its greatest friend in the Middle East - and supporting efforts to defend its borders from terrorist-led attacks. The senator has co-sponsored bipartisan legislation that supports the security of Israel, including multiple bills strengthening sanctions against Iran. A nuclear-armed Iran poses an unacceptable risk not only to Israel, but to the United States and the rest of the world.

During a speech at the policy conference of the American Israel Public Affairs Committee in Washington in 2018, Ambassador Haley told what it was to be bullied while growing up as an Indian-American in the South and how that prepared her for later battles against school bullying and also against the bullying of Israel and the United States in the diplomatic arena at the U.N.

“I’ve often wondered why, in the face of such hostility, Israel has chosen to remain a member of this body,” Haley stated. “And then I remember that Israel has chosen to remain in this institution because it’s important to stand up for yourself. Israel must stand up for its own survival as a nation; but it also stands up for the ideals of freedom and human dignity that the United Nations is supposed to be about.”

In a visit to Jerusalem, Haley told Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu: “We will not tolerate a situation that a world body of 198 countries can spend half their time attacking one country - Israel. What used to be a monthly Israel-bashing session now at least has more balance. But we’re never gonna put up with bullying.”

Haley’s words against the United Nations may seem harsh to some but they are vital since they speak directly to the very existence and survival of a crucial ally.

Jim Zbick | tneditor@tnonline.com

The foregoing opinions do not necessarily reflect the views of the Editorial Board or Times News LLC.