Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has appointed Yechiel Leiter as Israel's next ambassador to the United States, reported the Times of Israel.
Leiter is a US-born academic and will assume the position in January 2025. He'll be succeeding Michael Herzog, whose term was extended until the inauguration of the newly re-elected US President, Donald Trump, in January.
Leiter, who previously served as Netanyahu's chief of staff during his tenure as finance minister under Ariel Sharon, has the experience in Israeli public service . His past roles include deputy director-general of the education ministry and interim chairman of the Israel ports authority. Leiter has also been affiliated with conservative think tanks like the Jerusalem center for public affairs and the Kohelet Forum.
He holds a doctorate in political philosophy from Haifa University and has authored several books.
The appointment comes amid a personal tragedy for Leiter. His son, Major Moshe Yedidyah Leiter, 39, was killed in combat in Gaza on November 10 last year. Speaking to an Israeli newspaper ‘Israel Hayom’, Leiter shared that Netanyahu personally called him to offer condolences, to which he responded by urging the Prime Minister to “finish the job” in Gaza, emphasising that his son's sacrifice should not be in vain.
Leiter, originally from Scranton, Pennsylvania, immigrated to Israel at 18 to serve in the Israel Defense Forces (IDF). His deep ties to both Israel and the US are seen as an asset for his new diplomatic role, especially as he prepares to navigate the complexities of US-Israel relations during Trump's renewed presidency.
Notably, at a recent address to a joint session of Congress, Netanyahu introduced Leiter as the father of “one of the modern-day Maccabees,” paying tribute to Moshe’s service and sacrifice.
Netanyahu praised Leiter as a skilled diplomat with an intimate understanding of American culture and politics.
“Yechiel Leiter is a highly talented diplomat, an eloquent speaker, and has a deep understanding of American culture,” Netanyahu stated. “I am convinced that Yechiel will represent Israel in the best possible way, and I wish him success in his role.”
Leiter will have to renounce his US citizenship to take up the ambassadorial post. His appointment comes at a pivotal time as Israel navigates heightened tensions with Gaza and seeks to strengthen ties with the US under Trump’s administration.
The Israeli government, hyped by Trump's election, anticipates stronger support for its policies, particularly concerning settlements and regional security.
Leiter is a US-born academic and will assume the position in January 2025. He'll be succeeding Michael Herzog, whose term was extended until the inauguration of the newly re-elected US President, Donald Trump, in January.
Leiter, who previously served as Netanyahu's chief of staff during his tenure as finance minister under Ariel Sharon, has the experience in Israeli public service . His past roles include deputy director-general of the education ministry and interim chairman of the Israel ports authority. Leiter has also been affiliated with conservative think tanks like the Jerusalem center for public affairs and the Kohelet Forum.
He holds a doctorate in political philosophy from Haifa University and has authored several books.
The appointment comes amid a personal tragedy for Leiter. His son, Major Moshe Yedidyah Leiter, 39, was killed in combat in Gaza on November 10 last year. Speaking to an Israeli newspaper ‘Israel Hayom’, Leiter shared that Netanyahu personally called him to offer condolences, to which he responded by urging the Prime Minister to “finish the job” in Gaza, emphasising that his son's sacrifice should not be in vain.
Leiter, originally from Scranton, Pennsylvania, immigrated to Israel at 18 to serve in the Israel Defense Forces (IDF). His deep ties to both Israel and the US are seen as an asset for his new diplomatic role, especially as he prepares to navigate the complexities of US-Israel relations during Trump's renewed presidency.
Notably, at a recent address to a joint session of Congress, Netanyahu introduced Leiter as the father of “one of the modern-day Maccabees,” paying tribute to Moshe’s service and sacrifice.
Netanyahu praised Leiter as a skilled diplomat with an intimate understanding of American culture and politics.
“Yechiel Leiter is a highly talented diplomat, an eloquent speaker, and has a deep understanding of American culture,” Netanyahu stated. “I am convinced that Yechiel will represent Israel in the best possible way, and I wish him success in his role.”
Leiter will have to renounce his US citizenship to take up the ambassadorial post. His appointment comes at a pivotal time as Israel navigates heightened tensions with Gaza and seeks to strengthen ties with the US under Trump’s administration.
The Israeli government, hyped by Trump's election, anticipates stronger support for its policies, particularly concerning settlements and regional security.
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