Kirkpatrick was the U.S. ambassador to the United Nations under President Ronald Reagan. She built a close relationship with Israeli Ambassador Yehuda Blum and was as staunch in her support of Israel as she was in her opposition to the Soviet Union. She criticized states that vilified Israel, opposed sanctions after Israel bombed Iraq’s nuclear reactor and defended Israel against charges of discrimination against Palestinians.
Photo: Jeane Kirkpatrick with President Ronald Reagan in the Oval Office in 1984 (White House Photographic Collection)