Yechiel Leiter Appointed By Israeli Prime Minister To Be New Ambassador To The US, Diplomat Whose Son Died In Gaza War

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu/PHOTO via Instagram @b.netanyahu

JAKARTA - Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu appointed US-born Yechiel Leiter, an official who previously served as chief of staff at the finance ministry, as Israel's next ambassador to the United States.

"Yechiel Leiter is a high-capacity diplomat, fluent speaker, and has a deep understanding of American culture and politics," Netanyahu said.

His appointment was also welcomed by YiIsrael Ganz, chairman of the Yesha Council, an organization representing the Jewish settlement council in Israel's occupied West Bank.

Ganz said Leiter, who lives in the residential area of Gush Etzion, was the "main partner" in an advocacy in English for Judea and Samaria, the name used by many Israelis for the West Bank, which Israel captured in the 1967 Middle East war.

Leiter's appointment comes three days after Donald Trump's election for a second term as US president, which many Israelis celebrate for his strong support for Israel.

In addition to serving in the finance ministry, Leiter also serves as deputy director general at the Ministry of Education and acting head of an Israeli Port company.

His son was killed last year in Gaza's war against Palestinian militant group Hamas while serving in the Israeli military.