Yechiel Leiter stepped into his role as Israel’s ambassador to the United States with a clear mission: to strengthen ties with America during a critical moment for both nations. A Scranton, Pennsylvania, native, Leiter moved to Israel at 18, served in the IDF, and became a lifelong advocate for Jewish communities in contested areas like Hebron. His deep roots in American culture and conservative Israeli values make him a natural bridge between the two allies.
Leiter’s personal story reflects Israel’s resilience. His eldest son, Moshe, was killed fighting Hamas terrorists in Gaza last year. Instead of retreating, Leiter channeled his grief into determination. “We’re fighting evil head-on,” he said, framing Israel’s war against Hamas as a defense of Western values. Prime Minister Netanyahu highlighted this courage in a speech to Congress, calling Leiter’s family a symbol of Jewish strength after centuries of persecution.
A staunch defender of Israeli sovereignty, Leiter has long opposed concessions to Palestinian leaders. He rejected the Oslo Accords in the 1990s and pushed for West Bank annexation in 2020. His ties to settlements—including founding a Hebron neighborhood—align with Trump’s pro-Israel policies. Conservatives praise his appointment as a rejection of global pressure to shrink Israel’s borders. “Settlements aren’t obstacles to peace; they’re our heritage,” Leiter has argued.
Trump’s return to the White House marks a new chapter for U.S.-Israel relations. Leiter praised Trump’s “common sense” approach, noting restored arms shipments and support against Iran. The ambassador emphasized that under Trump, Israel won’t face unfair demands to halt military operations. “Weakness invites aggression,” Leiter said, contrasting Trump’s stance with the Biden administration’s delays in weapons deliveries.
The Biden years saw strained ties, including sanctions on Israeli settlers and calls for Gaza ceasefires. Leiter criticized these moves as harmful to Israel’s security. “You can’t fight terrorism with one hand tied,” he stated, urging bipartisan U.S. support. His first meetings on Capitol Hill targeted Republican allies like Sen. Ted Cruz but also reached out to Democrats, despite their historic opposition to settlements.
Leiter’s focus extends beyond politics. He frames Israel’s battle against Hamas as part of a broader clash between good and evil. “College campuses chanting ‘from the river to the sea’ don’t understand the stakes,” he said, linking modern antisemitism to ancient hatreds. His visit to the U.S. Holocaust Museum underscored this message: “Remembering the past means fighting those who’d repeat it.”
Netanyahu’s recent health scare and an ICC warrant against him highlighted challenges. Leiter revealed the prime minister’s flight to Washington was rerouted over Europe to avoid arrest—proof, he argued, of global bias. “Branding Israeli leaders as war criminals fuels antisemitism,” Leiter asserted, urging Western nations to stand firm against such rhetoric.
With Trump’s backing, Leiter aims to lock in Israel’s gains. Talks with Saudi Arabia on normalization are “closer than ever,” he noted, while warning Iran’s nuclear ambitions remain a top threat. For Leiter, faith and family drive his work. “My son fought for our future,” he said. “Now, I’ll ensure America stands with us to secure it.”
