Israeli Ambassador to US Arrives in Israel After Son Critically Injured in Terror Attack

Ambassador to the United States, Michael (Yechiel) Leiter, arrived in Israel on Thursday morning and went directly to Shaare Zedek Medical Center. His son, Neria, a reservist and resident of the Havat Yair settlement in the Samaria region, is hospitalized there in very serious condition after being critically injured in a vehicular ramming attack at a checkpoint on Route 443 on Wednesday. Neria was struck by the terrorist's vehicle while on duty with a police patrol.

Neria underwent a complex, hours-long brain surgery and remains in life-threatening condition. Medical teams, including surgical and intensive care specialists, are continuing to provide him with life-saving treatment, and social workers are supporting the family. This tragedy strikes the family just ten months after the loss of another son, Major (res.) Moshe Yedidya Leiter, who was killed in combat in the Gaza Strip in November 2023.

Their mother, Chani, shared in an interview with Galei Tzahal (Army Radio) the shock of receiving the news, noting her daughter-in-law initially thought it was a bomb. "You can't get used to it. We are still in shock. His wife keeps saying, 'I can't believe this is happening to us.' After Moshe fell, he wanted so much to bring us all together and helped us all. He held our hand. He was amazing. We are clinging to life."

Neria's wife informed their children, including their 11-year-old son, of their father's condition. Amidst the anxiety, the family received some good news: a granddaughter, daughter of one of Neria's sisters, was born overnight.

Shaare Zedek Medical Center stated that Neria underwent life-saving procedures in the trauma unit before the complex brain surgery. His condition remains very serious, with life-threatening risks, and extensive teams are providing continuous care.