Nikki Haley

Nikki Haley, born Nimrata Randhawa in 1972, is an American politician who served as the United States’ ambassador to the United Nations under the Trump administration and as governor of South Carolina. Originally from South Carolina, she is the daughter of Sikh Indian immigrants. Haley converted to Christianity as an adult. Haley published an autobiography in 2012, and received an honorary doctorate in public service from the University of South Carolina. She is married to Michael Haley. The couple has two children. Early life and political career After studying accounting at Clemson University, Haley started working for her family’s business, Exotica International. She became president of the National Association of Women Business Owners in 2004. In 2004 Haley successfully campaigned as a Republican for a seat in the House of Representatives. She remained in office after being unopposed in the 2006 elections, and was re-elected in 2008. She voted as a conservative, supporting tax cuts, immigration enforcement and the pro-life movement. As governor In 2010 Haley successfully ran for governor of South Carolina with the support of members of the Tea Party movement. In addition to being the first woman to hold this position, she was also the first Indian-American to do so. Haley had a successful first term in office, fostering a growing economy and gaining growing approval ratings. She won re-election in 2014. A long-time supporter of Israel, as governor Haley signed into law a bill meant to stymie efforts by the Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions (BDS) movement. In 2012, Haley was considered by Mitt Romney as a vice-presidential candidate, but stated that if selected she would decline. In 2015, Haley came under national attention when a racially-motivated shooting in a South Carolina church resulted in the deaths of nine African-Americans. Following the shooting, Haley stated in an interview that the shooting should be labeled a hate crime, and signed a bill to have the Confederate flag removed from the South Carolina State Capitol. In 2016 Haley gave the Republican Party’s response to Barack Obama’s final State of the Union address. In it, she criticized Obama and his administration, but also called upon Republicans to take responsibility for their share of America’s problems and to take measures to be more inclusive of all Americans. As UN Ambassador Haley had originally endorsed Ted Cruz for president in 2016 and had been critical of Donald Trump, but eventually voted for the latter over Hillary Clinton in the presidential elections. She was chosen by Trump to serve as the United States’ ambassador to the United Nations under his administration. In 2017 she resigned as governor in order to begin her new role at the UN. Although supportive of immigration reform, Haley has stated that she would never support a Muslim ban should President Trump choose to enact one. When discussing the Middle East at a security council meeting in April 2017 Haley said that Iran and Hezbollah are to blame for conducting terror attacks against the region, and that in order to attain Middle East peace the world first needs to tackle Iran. In December 2017 she defended Trump’s recognition of Jerusalem as Israel’s capital at the UN, saying that it would “fastball the peace process going forward.”

Will Trump's return shape UN chief Antonio Guterres’s tone on Israel? – analysis

Antonio Guterres's dialogue about Israel has radically shifted over the past few years, but can the incoming administration fix it?

JANUARY 1, 2025|ByHERB KEINON

U.S. President Donald Trump greets UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres during the "Global Call to Protect Religious Freedom" event at U.N. headquarters in New York City, New York, US, September 23, 2019.

US former ambassador to the United Nations and South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley speaks during the second day of the 2024 Republican National Convention at the Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, July 16, 2024.

‘What would we do?’: Nikki Haley reflects on how US would react to an Oct. 7

Haley continues to note her belief that the United States "owes one of our dearest friends in the world, Israel, support, and the fact that they've been through what was our 9/11 moment.

DECEMBER 28, 2024|ByJERUSALEM POST STAFF

NEW YORK, NY - SEPTEMBER 24: Secretary Of State Mike Pompeo and United States Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley brief the media during the United Nations General Assembly on September 24, 2018 in New York City.

Trump announces Haley, Pompeo will not join second administration

Trump is considering candidates to serve in his administration before his Jan. 20 inauguration as president.

NOVEMBER 10, 2024|ByREUTERS, JERUSALEM POST STAFF

Secular kibbutz is harvesting wheat for matzah for next year's Passover

Beyond the headlines: A weekly glimpse into the Israel you won’t read about in the news.

JUNE 4, 2024|BySIVAN RAHAV MEIR

Danny Danon welcomes former UN envoy Nikki Haley for her solidarity visit to Israel

Former presidential candidate and UN envoy Nikki Haley visits Israel, accompanied by former UN envoy Danny Danon, to meet officials and assess security challenges.

MAY 26, 2024

ByJERUSALEM POST STAFF

Former Republican presidential contender Nikki Haley in Re'im, southern Israel, May 27, 2024

Nikki Haley to arrive in Israel next week for ‘solidarity visit’

Haley criticized the UN’s double standard regarding Israel and said UN institutions’ treatment of Israel had led to the October 7 Hamas massacre.

MAY 23, 2024

ByELIAV BREUER

Ambassador Danny Danon and Ambassador Nikki Haley entering the UN General Assembly Hall

Nikki Haley withdraws from race but withholds Trump endorsement, citing Israel among other issues

In her speech, Haley also appeared to take aim at Trump’s inflammatory rhetoric.

MARCH 7, 2024

ByRON KAMPEAS/JTA

U.S. President Donald Trump talks with U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley in the Oval Office of the White House after it was announced the president had accepted the Haley's resignation in Washington, U.S., October 9, 2018

Nikki Haley ends White House bid, WSJ reports

The decision will ensure that Donald Trump will win the Republican nomination and once again face Democratic President Joe Biden in November's election.

MARCH 6, 2024

ByREUTERS

Trump notches early wins as he seeks knockout blow to Haley on Super Tuesday

Voters in 15 states and one US territory were casting ballots for president on Super Tuesday, with polls scheduled to close throughout the evening until Alaska wraps up the day.

MARCH 6, 2024

ByREUTERS

Campaign signs for Republican presidential candidates former U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley and former U.S. President Donald Trump stand along an intersection in Mount Pleasant, South Carolina, U.S., February 22, 2024.

How Super Tuesday could be Haley's last chance to stop Trump

The Super Tuesday results in North Carolina will be closely watched for signs of each candidate's strength in one of the potential battleground states that could decide the November general election.

MARCH 4, 2024

ByREUTERS

Former U.S. President and Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump addresses the 2024 National Religious Broadcasters Association International Christian Media Convention, as part of the NRB Presidential Forum in Nashville, Tennessee, U.S., February 22, 2024.

Nikki Haley wins Washington, D.C., Republican primary, in small symbolic boost

The win, mostly seen as symbolic, inoculates Haley from criticisms that she is unable to win a single primary race, though she still faces near-impossible odds to win the Republican nomination.

MARCH 4, 2024

ByREUTERS

Republican presidential candidate and former U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley greets supporters at a campaign event in Portland, Maine, U.S. March 3, 2024.

Trump wins Michigan, Missouri, Idaho Republican caucuses in show of force

Trump won the primary convincingly on Tuesday, securing 12 of 16 delegates up for grabs. He took all of Michigan's remaining 39 delegates at stake on Saturday.

MARCH 3, 2024

ByREUTERS