PM Netanyahu appoints Dr Yechiel Leiter as Israel’s next US Ambassador

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has appointed Dr. Yechiel Leiter as Israel’s next United States Ambassador on Friday, November 8. Leiter was Netanyahu’s chief of staff at the Finance Ministry in the past and will step into his role on January 10.

In a statement, Netanyahu praised Leiter as “a highly capable diplomat, an eloquent speaker, and someone with a profound understanding of American culture and politics.”

Leiter’s nomination follows Donald Trump’s recent election to a second term as U.S. president, a development celebrated by many Israelis due to his strong pro-Israel stance.

In addition to his role in the finance ministry, Leiter has served as deputy director general in the Education Ministry and as acting chairman of the Israel Ports Company.

Tragically, his son lost his life last year in the Gaza conflict while serving with the Israeli military against Hamas, according to a Reuters report.