'New day for Israel'

US ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley hailed a "new day" for Israel at the global body yesterday as she held talks with Israeli leaders in Jerusalem.

Speaking ahead of a meeting with President Reuven Rivlin, Haley vowed to defend Israel at the United Nations.

"I have never taken kindly to bullies, and the UN has bullied Israel for a very long time," she said, according to Rivlin's office. "We are not going to let that happen anymore.

"It is a new day for Israel in the United Nations," she added.

Rivlin thanked Haley for her protection of Israel, saying it marked a "new era."

"Israel is no longer alone at the UN. Israel is no longer the UN's punching bag," he said.

In an earlier meeting, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also welcomed Haley's tough stance, according to his office.

He said US President Donald Trump and Haley "have changed the discourse" at the UN.

"Thank you for all your help and standing up for Israel," he added.

Trump came to power promising to lead the most pro-Israel US government in history, and Haley has been a stout defender of the country since her appointment.

On Tuesday, Israeli authorities advanced plans for 1,500 settler homes in the occupied West Bank, including units for the first new official settlement in some 25 years, the Peace Now NGO said.

A defence ministry committee advanced the plans, the NGO that tracks settlement building in the Palestinian territory said in a statement.

The move came as Israelis and Palestinians marked the 50th anniversary of the Six-Day War, fought from June 5-10, 1967 and when Israel's occupation of the West Bank began.

Israeli authorities did not respond to requests for comment on the plans, which Peace Now said showed that "a two state solution is not on (Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's) agenda".