Israeli PM appoints hardline backer of settlements as new ambassador to US
- 8 November, 11:04
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has appointed Yechiel Leiter, a far-right politician and a long-time supporter of settlements in the West Bank as the country’s new ambassador to the United States.
Leiter, a close associate of Netanyahu, and a right-wing politician, is a staunch supporter of the war in Gaza.
Announcing the appointment on Friday, Netanyahu said that Leiter is a “highly talented diplomat, an eloquent speaker, who has a deep understanding of American culture and politics”. “I am convinced that Yechiel will represent the state of Israel in the best possible way, and I wish him success in his position,” the prime minister went on saying.
Leiter was Netanyahu’s chief of staff when the prime minister was the secretary of finance. He has also served as the deputy director general of the Ministry of Education and acting chairman of the Israel Ports Company.
Leiter will replace the current ambassador, Michael Herzog, whose term will end on 20 January.
The US-born politician has called for the ultimate Israeli “sovereignty” over West Bank territories in the past. The Israel media reported that Leiter has been affiliated with conservative policy centres including the Jerusalem Center for Public Affairs and the Kohelet Forum. The ambassador-designate reportedly lives in a West Bank settlement and is among the founders of One Israel Fund, which fundraises for settlers.
It’s noteworthy that Leiter’s appointment comes amid Donald Trump’s re-election as the president of the United States. It’s should be noted that during his first term of presidency, Donald Trump reversed Washington’s position that Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank were illegal under international law.
