Pray for Leiter: The importance of supporting soldiers who protect Israeli life - editorial

IDF reservist Neria Leiter was seriously wounded Wednesday when a Palestinian attacker rammed a vehicle into him at a checkpoint near Beit Horon. His father, Israel's ambassador to the US Yechiel Leiter, flew home from New York. The editorial calls for sustained support for wounded soldiers and their families, and for officials to hear reservists' criticism.

IDF reservist Neria Leiter was seriously wounded Wednesday when a Palestinian attacker rammed a vehicle into him at a checkpoint near Beit Horon on Route 443. After hours of surgery at Jerusalem's Shaare Zedek Medical Center, doctors said his condition had stabilized but his life remained in danger. His father, Israel's ambassador to the US Yechiel Leiter, flew home from New York. At the hospital on Thursday, he spoke about a previous journey through grief: in November 2023, his eldest son, Maj. (res.) Moshe Yedidya Leiter, was killed fighting in Gaza. Neria returned to reserve duty after his brother's death. The editorial argues that Israel must not mistake its reservists' resolve for an inexhaustible supply of time, health, or courage. It calls for sustained care for wounded soldiers and their families, making repeated reserve service bearable, and sharing the demands of defense fairly. The piece notes that officials must hear reservists who voice criticism even as they continue to serve.