Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has selected Yechiel Leiter, an American-Israeli former settler leader whose son died in combat in Gaza, as the next Israeli ambassador to the United States.
Netanyahu announced the appointment of Leiter, a former aide, in a statement on Friday, praising his diplomatic skills, eloquence, and understanding of American culture and politics.
This appointment suggests Netanyahu’s anticipation of a more favorable stance towards Israeli West Bank settlements from the incoming Trump administration compared to President Joe Biden’s administration. Leiter’s background includes leadership in the settlement of Hebron and involvement in the Yesha Council, representing Israeli settlements in the West Bank.
Leiter, originally from Scranton, Pennsylvania, moved to Israel in 1978. He has a history of engagement with settlements and the Likud party, currently residing in the West Bank.
In addition to his role as Netanyahu’s chief of staff, Leiter has served in various governmental positions and has affiliations with right-wing policy groups such as the Shiloh Policy Forum and the Kohelet Policy Forum.
Tragically, Leiter’s son, Maj. Moshe Yedidya Leiter, was killed in combat in Gaza in 2023, which influenced Netanyahu’s decision to include him in a congressional delegation earlier this year.
In a 2020 open letter to American Christians, Leiter praised Trump’s presidency and advocated for U.S. support for settlements, hailing the Trump administration’s impact on U.S.-Israel relations.
Leiter is set to begin his term as the Israeli ambassador to the U.S. in January, succeeding Michael Herzog, appointed by Naftali Bennett in 2021.
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