Nikki Haley: "I will not shut up."

Recently, the much put-upon Palestinian diplomat Saeb Erekat told United States United Nations Ambassador Nikki Haley to shut up. You recall how many feminists stepped forward to defend Haley against this blatant sexist taunt. That’s right… none.

Yesterday, Haley answered at the United Nations Security, clearly and forcefully: “I will not shut up.”

Haley’s speech was exemplary, for defending America and for defending a leading American ally. One has to wonder why it has taken the United States to find a U.N. ambassador who stands strong and proud, who refuses to placate terrorism.

Here, from the Victory Girls blog (via Instapundit) are a few of her remarks:

I sit here today offering the outstretched hand of the United States to the Palestinian people in the cause of peace. We are full prepared to look to a future of prosperity and coexistence. We welcome you as the leader of the Palestinian people here today. But I will decline the advice I was recently given by your top negotiator, Saab Erekat: I will not shut up. Rather, I will speak some hard truths.

The Palestinian leadership has a choice between two different paths: there is the path of absolutist demands, hateful rhetoric, and incitement to violence. That path has led, and will continue to lead, to nothing but hardship for the Palestinian people. Or there is the path of negotiation and compromise. History has shown that path to be successful for Egypt and Jordan, including the transfer of territory. That path remains open to the Palestinian leadership if only it is courageous enough to take it.

The United States knows the Palestinian leadership was very unhappy with the decision to move our embassy to Jerusalem. You don’t have to like that decision; you don’t have to praise it; you don’t even have to accept it. But know this: that decision? Will — not — change.

So once again, you must choose between two paths. You can choose to denounce the United States, reject the U.S. role in peace talks, and pursue punitive measures against Israel in international forums like the U.N. I assure you that path will get the Palestinian people exactly nowhere toward the achievement of their aspirations. Or you can choose to put aside your anger about the location of our embassy and move forward with us toward a negotiated compromise that holds great potential for improving the lives of the Palestinian people.

Clearly, a strong step in the right direction.