New York Rep. Elise Stefanik gained national attention in December 2023 during a hearing in the House of Representatives on anti-Semitism on campus. During the hearing, she questioned the presidents of three leading American universities, asking whether “calling for the genocide of Jews would violate their institutions’ anti-bullying and harassment policies.”

Nearly a year later, two of those university leaders, Liz Magill of the University of Pennsylvania and Claudine Gay of Harvard, resigned. Meanwhile, Stefanik will become the US ambassador to the United Nations under newly-elected President Donald Trump.

“She will be an incredible ambassador to the United Nations, delivering on the national security policy of ‘Peace through Strength’ and ‘America First’!” reads a statement shared by Trump’s team on Monday.

Stefanik has emerged as one of Trump’s most outspoken supporters and a staunch advocate for Israel and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Since the attacks on Israel on October 7, 2023, she has openly criticized the United Nations, accusing it of “deep-seated anti-Semitic prejudices” over its criticism of Israel’s actions in Gaza.

Stefanik was first elected to Congress in 2014 and represents a district in upstate New York. She initially had a moderately conservative attitude. However, she shifted to the right as she aligned herself closely with Trump and adopted his “America First” stance on foreign policy and national security.

This shift fueled a meteoric rise within the GOP. In 2021, she was elected chair of the House Republican Conference, succeeding former Rep. Liz Cheney. From this leadership role, Stefanik defended Trump during both impeachment proceedings and became one of his most loyal advocates in Congress, particularly criticizing President Joe Biden’s administration on Israel and the Middle East.

The appointment of Stefanik, a member of the House Armed Services Committee and the committee that oversees the national intelligence community, underscores Trump’s preference for loyalty over career experience in his second administration.

Stefanik has been particularly vocal about foreign policy regarding Israel. Since the start of the war between Israel and Hamas, she has focused on criticizing the United Nations, accusing it of anti-Semitism for its criticism of the Israeli bombardment of Gaza, which has resulted in the deaths of more than 43,000 Palestinians. the Gaza Ministry of Health said.

Stefanik has traveled to Israel several times, met with Israeli officials and publicly supported Israel’s position in regional conflicts. During her visits, she praised Trump’s policies in the Middle East, such as the Abraham Accords, and criticized the Biden administration’s approach as not being strong enough to secure Israel’s interests.

“Israel is America’s most critical ally in the Middle East,” she said during a recent visit, expressing unwavering support for Israeli security and condemning Iran’s influence in the region.

Her ambassadorship aims to strengthen the alliance between the United States and Israel and address perceived bias against Israel at the UN. During her October visit, she called for a “complete reassessment of U.S. funding of the United Nations.” She called for blocking US support for the UN agency that provides humanitarian aid to the Palestinians.

Trump, who generally favors a less interventionist foreign policy, did not focus heavily on the UN during his campaign. However, US support for Israel is expected to remain strong, with Trump urging Israel to finish the job quickly.

There is uncertainty about Trump’s approach to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, but Israel’s UN Ambassador Danny Danon welcomed Stefanik’s appointment.

“At a time when hatred and lies fill the halls of the UN, your unwavering moral clarity is needed more than ever. I wish you the best of luck in upholding truth and justice,” Danon wrote on X, formerly Twitter.

Under Biden, the US has at times criticized Israel’s behavior in Gaza and delayed certain weapons deliveries. Netanyahu likely hopes that Trump’s return will remove such restrictions, allowing Israel to pursue its war aims more freely. The US government could also work to counter a possible international war crimes arrest warrant against Netanyahu, which could strengthen Netanyahu’s support at home.

Although Trump has not yet fully outlined his foreign policy approach for the coming term, his position has been described as “peace through strength.” Although he has signaled a focus on domestic issues, the Middle East – particularly Israel and Netanyahu – could be a notable exception in his plans.