Leiter Says Reform Apology Protected Diaspora Ties

JPost published at 04:21 IDT that Israel's U.S. ambassador Yechiel Leiter defended his rare public rebukes of ministers, saying he speaks when comments badly damage Israel's standing. In the JPPI Jewish Crossroads interview carried by Ynet and Israel National News, Leiter said May Golan's attack on Reform Judaism crossed the line, and that he changed his schedule to apologize personally before about 350 Reform rabbis at Stephen Wise Synagogue. Times of Israel and JNS confirm the original Knesset remarks and Leiter's Orthodox-framed condemnation. Israel is strongest when Torah-rooted argument stays respectful, Diaspora Jews are treated with dignity and public diplomacy denies anti-Israel campaigns easy ammunition.