Israeli PM Netanyahu appoints new ambassador to United States
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox
Israelis walk past a billboard congratulating US Republican presidential candidate and former president Donald Trump on his election win, in Jerusalem, on Nov 8.
PHOTO: AFP
Follow topic:
JERUSALEM - Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu appointed US-born Yechiel Leiter, an official who previously served as chief of staff in the finance ministry, as the next Israeli ambassador to the United States.
"Yechiel Leiter is a highly capable diplomat, an eloquent speaker, and possesses a deep understanding of American culture and politics," Mr Netanyahu said in a statement.
His appointment was also welcomed by Mr Yisrael Ganz, the head of the Yesha Council, an umbrella organisation representing councils of Jewish settlements in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, a territory Palestinians want as part of a future state.
Mr Ganz said Mr Leiter, who lives in the Gush Etzion settlement area, as "a key partner in English-language advocacy for Judea and Samaria", a name used by many Israelis for the West Bank, which Israel captured in the 1967 Middle East war.
Mr Leiter's appointment came three days after Donald Trump's election to a second term
As well as serving in the finance ministry, Mr Leiter also held positions as deputy director-general in the Education Ministry and acting chairman of the Israel Ports Company.
His son was killed in 2023 in the Gaza war against Palestinian militant group Hamas while serving with the Israeli military. REUTERS
