Leiter Says Reform Apology Protected Diaspora Ties

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 a JPPI Jewish Crossroads interview, 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. The original Knesset remarks drew 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.