Dr. Cheryl Saban, the new U.S. representative to the U.N., and her husband, billionaire Haim Saban. – Photo: Reuters

Dr. Saban is a published author and head of the non-profit organization What is Your Self-Worth, which promotes the empowerment and advancement of women. What is Your Self-Worth donates to small businesses run by female entrepreneurs, in addition to providing women with scholarships for advanced learning. In a White House press release from Thursday, Dr. Saban was mentioned among those who have been newly appointed to Obama administration posts. “Our nation will be greatly served by the talent and expertise these men and women bring to their new roles,” U.S. President Barack Obama said at the ceremony. “I am grateful they have agreed to serve in this administration.” Saban was credited for her work with women and children, and for her professional background as a member of the American Psychological Association.

Dr. Saban’s recent appointment has drawn attention to the Democratic Party’s ties to her husband, Haim Saban. One of the richest Israelis in the world, with a net worth of $3.5 billion, Haim Saban made his fortune in various business ventures over the last few decades. Among others, he was responsible for such classic children’s shows as She-Ra: Princess of Power, He-Man and the Masters of the Universe, and The Mighty Morphin’ Power Rangers, in addition to being a force behind the worldwide telenovela phenomenon.

Haim Saban has been involved with U.S. politics for the past two decades, and has voiced concern over the rift between Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Obama. In an interview he gave to Israeli Channel 2 News in 2011, Saban asked, “Why did Obama need to talk about the ’67 borders? Why did Bibi need to lecture Obama while (he was a guest) at the White House? Everything is being made public. Why?”

Saban has contributed greatly to promote a positive image of Israel within the U.S., and the Saban Center for Middle East Policy in Washington, D.C., named after him, attracts high-ranking officials from the Israeli, U.S. and Palestinian governments to its events. “The reason why the U.S. stands behind Israel,” Saban said during a Channel 10 interview from 2010, “is the Jewish lobby (in Washington), which is very powerful. So is the Arab lobby, though. We mustn’t kid ourselves.”

Saban is a close friend of former President Bill Clinton and his wife, current Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton, and was a strong and outspoken supporter of Mrs. Clinton during the 2000 Democratic primaries. “I was asked if I will donate to Obama,” Saban said during the 2011 interview. “I answered that he doesn’t need it, but that if he were to ask me, I would donate.” Saban has since donated to Obama and the Democratic Party, though Obama’s camp is now reportedly looking for further contributions for the president’s re-election campaign.

During one of his fundraisers for the Friends of the Israel Defense Forces organization, Saban gave an encouraging speech with what appeared to be a thinly veiled remark against the United Nations. “We are, the Jewish people, we are a resilient people, a strong people, we’re successful, we’re here and we’re here to stay. No matter what the U.N. says or does.”

View original Israel Hayom publication at: http://www.israelhayom.com/site/newsletter_article.php?id=5861