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.

1 Comments

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

1
I wish him the best of luck in his new position.
The Jewish Patriarch 10.11.24

Identity of victim of rocket attack earlier today

Released for publication: Brian Director is the victim of the rocket attack in Nahariya

Eliana Fleming, JFeed Staff | 20:51

Anti-Semitism down under

Ayelet Shaked barred from down under 

2
| Avi Nachmani | 17:58

Killed while seeking shelter in a playground

WATCH: Hezbollah rocket scores direct hit on Nahariya playground, killing an Israeli civilian 

Gila Isaacson | 12:58

Another beautiful Israeli moment

HEARTWARMING: Watch this IDF Lt. Col. surprise his son at his beret ceremony 

Gila Isaacson | 12:38

What's killing our soldier in Gaza?

Heartbreak: The mistake that led to the fall of fighters in Gaza

1
| Eliana Fleming, JFeed Staff | 12:36

UAV defense - a gamechanger for Israel

IAI promises fast action: UAV defense ready in months 

1
| Avi Nachmani | 12:26
Get JFeed App
Download on the App Store
Get it on Google Play
1