Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has appointed Dr. Yechiel Leiter as Israel's next United States Ambassador, the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) announced on Friday.
Leiter was previously Netanyahu's chief of staff at the Finance Ministry and will step into his role on January 10.
Leiter's son, Major Moshe Yedidya, fell fighting in Gaza in November 2023.
"Dr. Leiter has held senior roles in Israel's public service, including serving as deputy director-general of the Education Ministry, chief of staff to the Finance Minister, and acting chairman of the Israel Ports Development & Assets Company," the PMO stated.
According to the PMO, Dr. Leiter is a US native and has a "deep understanding of American government and society."
Netanyahu stated, "Yechiel Leiter is a talented diplomat, an articulate speaker, and possesses a deep understanding of American culture and politics. I am confident that Yechiel will represent the State of Israel in the best possible way, and I wish him success in his role.”