US Envoy Leads Talks Between Israel and Lebanon

US Ambassador to Lebanon and Israeli Envoy Meet for First Time

A phone call was held between Yechiel Leiter, Israel’s ambassador to the US, and Nada Hamadeh Moawad, Lebanon’s representative in Washington, over the weekend. The meeting marks a departure from traditional diplomatic protocols due to the lack of formal relations between Israel and Lebanon.

Leiter, who is set to begin official peace talks with Lebanon next week, has been at the center of US-Israel relations as ambassador. Born in Scranton, Pennsylvania, in 1959, Leiter holds a PhD in political philosophy from the University of Haifa and has written extensively on Israeli politics and Zionism.

Leiter’s background is marked by involvement in far-right politics, including his affiliation with the Herzl Institute, a think tank associated with right-wing Israeli policies. He has also held senior advisory roles in government, including as chief of staff for former Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

According to Leiter, Israel agreed to begin formal peace negotiations with Lebanon this coming Tuesday. However, he stated that discussions about a ceasefire with the Hezbollah terrorist organization were not included due to its continued attacks on Israel.

Lebanese lawmaker Hassan Fadlallah rejected direct negotiations between Lebanon and Israel, citing the group’s opposition to such talks. The conflict has resulted in over 2,000 deaths and more than one million displaced people since Israeli attacks resumed in November 2024.

The US State Department facilitated the meeting between Leiter and Moawad. The outcome of the talks remains uncertain, but Leiter’s appointment as ambassador has been marked by controversy surrounding his past affiliations and ideological positions.

Source: Al Jazeera