Israeli Ambassador to US Gives Statement at Hospital Where Son is Critically Injured
Dr. Yechiel "Jechiel" Leiter, Israel's ambassador to the United States, delivered a statement on Thursday from Jerusalem's Shaare Zedek Medical Center, where his son, Neria, is hospitalized in very serious condition following a car-ramming attack at the Blad checkpoint on Route 443 the previous day. Ambassador Leiter was informed of his son's critical injuries late Wednesday, shortly after concluding an interview with Newsmax, according to the embassy's spokesperson in Washington. He immediately traveled to Israel.
During his journey, Leiter posted on social media, expressing gratitude to the IDF and the medical team at Shaare Zedek for their efforts to save his son's life and appealing for prayers. "I believe in the power of prayer and believe that when the people of Israel unite, miracles happen. Neria needs a miracle," he wrote. Leiter noted that his son had continued to serve in reserve duty even after losing his older brother, Major Moshe Yedidya Leiter, who was killed in combat in Beit Hanoun. Neria himself had completed hundreds of days of reserve duty on various fronts since October 7.
US Ambassador to Israel, Jack Markow, shared Leiter's post, stating he was praying for the family. "They lost a son in Gaza, killed by Hamas. Now a Palestinian terrorist tried to murder soldiers at a checkpoint," Markow wrote, adding, "I stand with Yechiel Leiter."
Neria's condition remains critical. Shaare Zedek Medical Center reported that after undergoing life-saving procedures in the trauma unit, Neria underwent complex brain surgery lasting several hours, along with additional treatments. His life remains in danger, with surgical and intensive care teams continuing to provide life-saving care.
Initial police findings indicate the attacker drove at high speed towards a police vehicle from the Judea and Samaria district, striking Leiter, who was present at the scene. Security forces on-site immediately opened fire, neutralizing the attacker. The assailant was identified as Mahmoud Muhammad Mahmoud Suleiman, 29, from the village of Beit Ur al-Tahta, near Ramallah. Reserve soldiers from the Yonatan Brigade killed the attacker, just a day before they were scheduled to complete eight weeks of reserve duty. Large security forces were deployed to secure the area as part of the investigation.
