Leiter's son was tragically killed in the Gaza war last year while serving in the Israeli military during the conflict with the Palestinian militant group Hamas.
In a statement on Friday, Netanyahu praised Leiter, describing him as “a highly capable diplomat, an eloquent speaker, and someone with a deep understanding of American culture and politics.”
Leiter’s appointment came just three days after former President Donald Trump was elected to a second term as U.S. president. Trump’s victory was widely celebrated by many in Israel due to his strong support for the country.