Israel: self-proclaimed ‘racist’ politician nominated as New York consul general

Israel's prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, has nominated a far-right politician who once boasted that she is "proud to be a racist" as his country's top diplomat in New York.

The appointment of May Golan was swiftly denounced by Israeli and American former diplomats, and the head of the largest Jewish denomination in the US, as an affront to the US and damaging for Israel.

A group of former Israeli ambassadors said they were "shocked" by the move.

"Golan's appointment is outrageous as she is a racist and divisive figure, which is the exact opposite from what Israel needs in such a critical place," they said.

Golan, who is a member of the Israeli parliament for Netanyahu's Likud party and a minister without portfolio in the current government, is a supporter of the ultranationalist faction in the ruling coalition that is attempting to curb the power of Israel's courts in what has been described as a "judicial coup".

She will take over from Asaf Zamir, who resigned last month after telling a meeting of American Jewish donors that he was "deeply concerned about the direction [Israel] is going in right now".

Golan made a political name for herself by denouncing African refugees in Israel, calling them "Muslim infiltrators", criminals and rapists. She said many have Aids, suggested they were spreading HIV by working as waiters, and demanded they be expelled from the country.