Israeli Ambassador to U.S. Shares Personal Grief, Warns of Existential Threats

Israeli Ambassador to the United States Yechiel Leiter delivered an emotional address to thousands of Chabad emissaries, sharing his family's personal struggles amidst escalating antisemitism and threats to Israel's existence. He spoke of the recent loss of his elder son, Moshe Yedidya, in combat, and the hospitalization of his second son, Neria.

Leiter recounted the difficulty of preparing for his fallen son's memorial while tending to his hospitalized son. He shared a message from Moshe Yedidya to soldiers before entering Gaza, emphasizing the importance of situational awareness: "Where am I, where are my friends, and where is the enemy?" The ambassador applied this principle to the Jewish people's current challenges, stating, "The plague of our generation is that we have forgotten how to identify the enemy."

He described antisemitism as a mutating virus and warned that the threats facing Israel today are existential, extending beyond territorial disputes. Leiter cited the widespread anti-Israel demonstrations in the U.S. following the October 7th Hamas attack, interpreting the slogan "From the river to the sea" as a call for the destruction of the Jewish people in Israel.

Leiter also recounted the unusual circumstances of presenting his credentials to President Donald Trump on January 27, 2025, just one day into his ambassadorship. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who had an upcoming meeting with Trump, urged Leiter to expedite the process, leading to a swift ceremony arranged with Secretary of State Marco Rubio.

Reflecting on his heritage, Leiter explained that he opened his credential letter with the phrase "I represent the indigenous people of the Land of Israel" to assert the historical connection of the Jewish people to the land. He criticized the New York Times for what he called a "blood libel" regarding its reporting on Gaza, presenting facts about aid trucks and efforts to avoid civilian casualties, contrasting it with what he perceived as the newspaper's emotional reporting.

Concluding his address, Leiter urged the Chabad emissaries to strengthen Jewish identity and combat the delegitimization of Israel by knowing who they are, who their friends are, and identifying their enemies. He drew inspiration from his son's resilience, who attributed his strength to the generations before him, and called on the emissaries to expand their efforts for the Jewish people facing renewed threats.