Yechiel Leiter

Dr. Yechiel Leiter is an American-Israeli public servant and scholar in Israeli policy and diplomacy.

Leiter was born in Scranton, Pennsylvania on October 1, 1959. He immigrated to Israel in 1978 at the age of 18. After serving in the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), Leiter pursued rabbinical studies and received ordination. He also earned a doctorate in political philosophy from the University of Haifa, focusing on the intersection of political and religious thought.

Leiter’s career has been closely tied to Israel’s settlement movement. As chairman of the Jewish Community of Hebron, he played a key role in establishing the Admot Yishai neighborhood. He later became a senior member of the Yesha Council, advocating for the interests of Israeli settlements in the West Bank. His professional and personal connections to these communities were underscored by his residence in Eli, a settlement in the Gush Etzion bloc.

Later, Leiter transitioned into government roles, serving as Benjamin Netanyahu’s chief of staff as finance minister. In this position, he contributed to economic reforms to foster growth and fiscal stability. His public service extended to senior positions at the Ministry of Education and the Israel Ports Company. Beyond government, Leiter was affiliated with think tanks such as the Kohelet Policy Forum and the Jerusalem Center for Public Affairs, where he focused on issues like Israeli sovereignty, security strategy, and critiques of the Oslo Accords.

In November 2023, Leiter’s son, Maj. Moshe Yedidya Leiter, a reserve officer, was killed in combat during Israel’s war with Hamas in Gaza. This personal loss highlighted Leiter’s longstanding commitment to Israel and its security.

On November 8, 2024, Leiter was appointed Israel’s ambassador to the United States. His selection by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu highlights his experience in public service, policy analysis, and advocacy. His tenure is expected to focus on fostering bipartisan U.S. support for Israel and addressing critical issues such as regional security and settlement policies. It is set to begin around President-elect Donald Trump’s inauguration in January 2025.

To serve as an Israeli ambassador, Leiter must renounce his U.S. citizenship.

Sources: “Yechiel Leiter, U.S.-born former Netanyahu aide, to be Israel’s next ambassador to Washington,” Jewish Insider, (November 8, 2024). 
“Yechiel Leiter, American-Israeli former settler leader who lost a son in Gaza, to serve as next Israeli ambassador to US,” JTA, (November 8, 2024). 
“Netanyahu taps former official, settlement activist Yechiel Leiter as next US ambassador,” Times of Israel, (November 8, 2024). 
Amir Tibon, “What Netanyahu’s New U.S. Envoy Tells Us About His Plans for Trump, Gaza and the Saudis,” Haaretz, (November 9, 2024).