Son of Israeli Ambassador to US Critically Wounded in West Bank Terror Attack

Neriah Laiter, a reserve soldier in the Israel Defense Forces and the son of Israel's Ambassador to the United States, Dr. Yehiel Laiter, was critically injured in a Palestinian car-ramming attack near Modiin on Wednesday, September 23. The attack occurred just before Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's scheduled address at the UN General Assembly in New York, which Ambassador Laiter was expected to attend. Upon learning of his son's injury, the ambassador immediately flew back to Israel.

Ambassador Laiter shared on X that Neriah had continued his reserve service despite the death of his older brother, Major Moshe Yedidya Laiter, who was killed in Gaza on November 10, 2023. He stated that Neriah had served hundreds of days on various fronts since October 7, adding, "Palestinian terrorism aims to uproot the people of Israel from their land. They choose death, we choose life." He also appealed for a miracle for his son, thanking the IDF and medics at Shaare Zedek Medical Center for their efforts.

Prime Minister Netanyahu and his wife, Sara, expressed their prayers for Neriah's recovery, stating, "Dear Neriah, we are all with you." The attack took place around 4:54 PM near the "Bel" checkpoint on Highway 443, as a Palestinian terrorist drove his vehicle into an Israeli. The terrorist, identified as 29-year-old Mahmoud Suleiman from Beit Ur al-Tahta, was neutralized at the scene by IDF forces.

Initial reports from Magen David Adom (MDA) paramedics described a chaotic scene with the victim, a man in his forties, found unconscious with severe injuries. Working alongside military medics, they provided first aid before transporting him to Shaare Zedek Medical Center in Jerusalem in serious condition. Police confirmed the terrorist targeted a patrol vehicle, injuring a member, before being killed by responding forces. An investigation into the incident is underway.