Syria and Lebanon could normalize relations with Israel before Saudi Arabia, Israeli Ambassador to the United States Yechiel Leiter said.
Leiter, in an interview with PragerU published on May 22, said, “I’m very upbeat about the potential for an Abraham Accord with Syria and Lebanon. It might even precede Saudi Arabia—with a wink from Riyadh.”
He credited Israeli action under Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for diminishing Hezbollah’s power, saying, “There was a decision to take out Nasrallah ... now Lebanon has the opportunity to reassert itself as a civil society.”
The ambassador added that progress with Syria would depend on reforms by President Ahmed Hussein al-Sharaa, who is also known by his nom de guerre, Abu Mohammad al-Julani, especially in protecting minorities such as the Druze and banning terrorist groups such as Hamas and Hezbollah.
Turning to domestic politics, Leiter defended Netanyahu against corruption charges, dismissing them as politically driven and baseless. “They built castles in the sand, and they are collapsing,” he said. “They tried to wear Netanyahu down, but it didn’t break him.”
Leiter also blasted critics who claim Netanyahu is prolonging the war against Hamas in Gaza to avoid legal consequences. “What madness to say something so malicious ... he wants the war to end in victory because he bears the weight of the Jewish people on his shoulders.”
Despite legal proceedings against him, including court appearances, Leiter said the prime minister remains focused and unshaken. “When you know you’re innocent, you don’t collapse ... , you move forward because you have more important things to do.”
Foreign Ministry Director-General Eden Bar-Tal announced on Sunday afternoon that Leiter would be summoned for a hearing following the comments he made to PragerU in defense of the prime minister.
Bar-Tal said the hearing was called following a “directive of the senior director of the Disciplinary Division at the Civil Service Commission.”
