Netanyahu chooses diehard supporter of Israeli settlements as new US ambassador amid Trump return

Lara BULLENS

11 November 2024 at 1:52 pm·1-min read

A view of the Israeli settlement of Eli in the occupied West Bank, where Yechiel Leiter lives, on October 30, 2024.

Yechiel Leiter, a staunch defender of Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank and vocal advocate for the war in Gaza, is set to become Israel’s new ambassador to the US. His appointment by Netanyahu comes just days after Trump’s re-election – signalling a policy shift aligned with renewed debates over annexation.

Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu’s decision to appoint Yechiel Leiter as the next ambassador to the United States last Friday has raised eyebrows on both sides of the Atlantic.

A staunch defender of Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank and a vocal supporter of the war in Gaza, Leiter is poised to take over from current ambassador Michael Herzog when his term ends on January 20.

Described by Netanyahu as a “highly capable diplomat, an eloquent speaker” and someone who “possesses a deep understanding of American culture and politics”, the former government aide and right-wing writer has established himself as a prominent figure in conservative circles.

The announcement of his new role came on the heels of the US presidential election, just three days after Donald Trump’s victory.

Leiter has called for Israeli “sovereignty” over the occupied West Bank territories.

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