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

Neriah Leiter, the 40-year-old son of Israel's Ambassador to the United States, Yehiel Leiter, is in critical condition under anesthesia at Shaare Zedek Medical Center in Jerusalem after being struck by a vehicle in a terror attack on September 23. The incident occurred at the Maccabim checkpoint, also referred to as the "Bel" checkpoint.

Leiter, a reservist in the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), was on duty with a joint police patrol when a terrorist driving at high speed hit him. The terrorist was killed by security forces at the scene. Leiter sustained multiple severe injuries, including serious head trauma.

Ambassador Leiter is urgently flying from the U.S. to Israel. He posted on X (formerly Twitter) expressing gratitude to the IDF and medical staff, stating, "Neriah needs a miracle." He added, "Palestinian terrorism seeks to eradicate the people of Israel from their land. They choose death, we choose life."

This is the second tragedy for the Leiter family since the start of the current hostilities. Neriah's older brother, Major (res.) Moshe Yedidiah Leiter, was killed in combat in northern Gaza on November 10, 2023. Despite his brother's death, Neriah Leiter continued his reserve service, accumulating hundreds of days of duty on various fronts since October 7.

Neriah Leiter had been serving in the reserves after his brother's death, including hundreds of days of service on multiple fronts since October 7.