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Video: New Israeli Ambassador to U.S.: The Defeat of Hamas Is a Prerequisite for Regional Peace

(Jerusalem Post) Zvika Klein - Israel's new ambassador to the U.S., Yechiel Leiter, told the Jerusalem Post that he views normalization with Saudi Arabia as a "game changer for the region and beyond," part of a broader strategic realignment in the Middle East following the decline of Hamas, Hizbullah, and other Iranian proxies. "We're closer to Saudi Arabia because we've degraded Hamas," he said. "The fall of [Syrian leader] Assad and the weakening of Iran's influence have brought us to a moment of opportunity." "There are few countries in the world, aside from Israel, that want to see Hamas degraded more than Saudi Arabia. Wherever the Muslim Brotherhood is compromised, moderation can rise. We've seen this in Egypt, Sudan, and Turkey. Saudi Arabia recognizes that defeating these elements is crucial to its own modernization." "The Saudis want to ensure that their public sees tangible benefits for the Palestinians in any deal. It's a delicate balancing act, but one that can be managed through pragmatic negotiations and international support." Commending Trump's willingness to think outside the box on solutions, including temporary arrangements with Egypt and Jordan to manage refugees from Gaza, Leiter noted, "It's natural for countries to take in refugees from neighboring war zones. It's done all over the world. The region's stability depends on shared responsibility....If the United States were to come to our neighbors and say, 'Look, you're at peace with Israel now for over 30 years, and we need your help,' it seems natural they would play a role." "The destruction of Hamas, the defeat of Hamas, the release of the hostages, and the reconstruction of Gaza in such a way where there's no longer a threat to Israel, and where Hamas doesn't regain power - these are non-negotiable objectives. The global community must understand that Hamas is not just a threat to Israel but to stability in the region. Its defeat is a prerequisite for peace." Leiter lost his son, Maj. (res.) Moshe Yedidia Leiter, during the war in Gaza on Nov. 10, 2023.
2025-01-30 00:00:00
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