Israeli Ambassador Condemns Violence and Discusses National Security
Israeli Ambassador to the United States, Yechiel Leiter, has strongly condemned the violence perpetrated by rioters in Judea and Samaria, calling for more effective measures to bring those responsible to justice. In an interview with CNN, Leiter responded to the recent attack on Washington Post journalist Heidi Levine, labeling such acts as "completely unacceptable" and asserting that those who commit violence must face consequences.
Leiter expressed concern over the current situation, stating, "If Israel has not yet reached a passing grade on bringing Jewish vigilantes to justice then we’ve gotta do a better job, and I’m convinced that we are going to do it." He noted that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has expressed a commitment to addressing this issue during government meetings.
In his remarks, Leiter presented statistics indicating that in 2025, 26 Jews were killed by Palestinian Arab terrorists, while only two Arabs were killed by Jewish rioters. He emphasized that out of approximately 600,000 Jewish residents in Judea and Samaria, only a small fraction, estimated between 50 and 200 individuals, are involved in violent activities. He reiterated Israel's determination to apprehend and prosecute this small group.
Personal Impact of Terrorism on Families
Leiter also shared personal insights regarding his son, Neria, who was severely injured in a terror attack. He revealed that Neria is no longer on a ventilator, but remains in a deep coma following extensive surgery. Leiter described the circumstances of the attack, noting that the assailant was driving at a high speed when the incident occurred, resulting in severe injuries to his son.
Cleared to File
The ambassador expressed gratitude for the support and prayers received from the public, stating, "We're surrounding him 24/7 with love and prayers, and I just want to thank you and all the people out there who are praying for him. We appreciate it."
On the topic of Israeli politics, Leiter mentioned that Netanyahu is interested in forming a broad national unity government. He clarified that National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir will not be reappointed to his position and will not serve as Defense Minister in the future.
