New US ambassador to Israel

Netanyahu taps bereaved father Yechiel Leiter as US ambassador

"[Leiter] gets both countries," says a source close to Netanyahu. "He can talk settlements with Republicans and security with Democrats. Plus, he knows Trump's people from his time working with evangelical Christians."

Yechiel Leiter

When Yechiel Leiter's son fell fighting in Gaza last November, few imagined the former settler leader would soon become Israel's voice in Washington. Yet Netanyahu's surprise pick for ambassador signals major changes ahead in US-Israel relations.

Leiter's story reads like a novel. Born in Scranton, Pennsylvania, he moved to Israel in 1978, eventually becoming a settler leader in Hebron and one of Netanyahu's trusted advisers. Now, after losing his son Maj. Moshe Yedidya in battle, he faces his biggest challenge yet - representing Israel in Washington just as Trump might return to power.

The timing isn't subtle. Leiter starts just as Trump could return to the White House, replacing current ambassador Michael Herzog. It's quite a change from Herzog, who was appointed by Netanyahu's rival Bennett and focused on smoothing tensions with Democrats.

Some worry about Leiter's right-wing background and ties to groups that pushed for judicial reform. But others see his personal tragedy as something that might help him bridge divides. "When you've lost a child defending Israel," one diplomat noted, "politics becomes less important than peace."

For now, Leiter's keeping quiet about his plans.

But with Trump's old ambassador David Friedman possibly heading back to Israel, US-Israel relations could soon look very different indeed.

JTA contributed to this article.

Benjamin Netanyahu Binyamin Netanyahu Donald Trump Israel-Gaza war US Election 2024 Washington Moshe Yedidya Leiter Gaza IDF Fallen soldiers Bereaved families Yechiel Leiter

1 Comments

Do not send comments that include inflammatory words, defamation and content that exceeds the limit of good taste.

The comment was sent successfully.
Soon the response will be examined by our editors and if it is found to be correct it will be published on the website.
The comment was sent successfully.
Soon the response will be examined by our editors and if it is found to be correct it will be published on the website.
1
I wish him the best of luck in his new position.
The Jewish Patriarch 10.11.24


Tragic news from the front lines in Lebanon

HEARTBREAKING: IDF releases names of 6 fallen soldiers in Lebanon 
Eliana Fleming, JFeed Staff | 13.11.24

It's Like A Huge Turkey Shoot

Can't stop, won't stop: IDF issues more evacuation orders for Dahiyeh
Avi Woolf | 13.11.24

It Would Be Nice...

Did Katz mean that Hezbollah should be entirely disarmed?
Avi Woolf | 13.11.24

Smotrich makes an ultimatum

Smotrich draws red line on draft law: "No military backing, no deal"
Gila Isaacson | 13.11.24