NEW YORK – The World Jewish Congress today welcomed the U.S. Senate’s confirmation of Rabbi Yehuda Kaploun as Special Envoy to Monitor and Combat Antisemitism, with the rank of ambassador. World Jewish Congress President Ronald S. Lauder said:
“President Trump made a strong choice in nominating Rabbi Yehuda Kaploun to serve as U.S. State Department Special Envoy to Monitor and Combat Antisemitism. I am deeply grateful to the President for ensuring this critical position is filled by a dedicated fighter against anti-Jewish hatred.
“As we saw this week in Sydney, antisemitism is global, coordinated, and emboldened, and it demands leadership that understands the stakes and the responsibility of this role. The WJC serves Jewish communities in more than one hundred countries, and I look forward to engaging with Rabbi Kaploun as he works to protect them from the grave threats they face today. I am also pleased that he will be joining the Special Envoys & Coordinators Combating Antisemitism (SECCA) forum, first organized by the World Jewish Congress in 2019, which remains the most important international network of government officials dedicated to confronting antisemitism.”
Phil Rosen, Chair of the World Jewish Congress American Section, added:
“I have known Rabbi Kaploun for more than twenty years, and I have long respected the seriousness and judgment he brings to this fight. President Trump recognized the urgency of this moment in moving quickly to nominate him, and that decision mattered. Even before his confirmation, Rabbi Kaploun was already at work in his private capacity. He joined me at the WJC’s Special Envoys meeting in November to engage directly with the dozens of special envoys and national coordinators gathered at the State Department and begin building the relationships this role demands.
“He has been clear about the need to elevate the Special Envoy’s office and to establish a dedicated unit focused on confronting online hate, and that level of preparation reflects the urgency and resolve he will bring to combating antisemitism from day one.”
Rabbi Kaploun’s confirmation follows close recent engagement with the World Jewish Congress, including his participation in the international meeting of Special Envoys and Coordinators Combating Antisemitism (SECCA) convened by the WJC and hosted by the United States Department of State in early November.”
The World Jewish Congress also thanks the professional staff of the Office of the Special Envoy and their colleagues at the State Department, under Secretary Rubio’s steady leadership, for their tireless work and clear support for the office and its mission during the interim period.
The WJC regularly convenes the forum of Special Envoys & Coordinators Combating Antisemitism (SECCA) comprising officials tasked with combating antisemitism on behalf of national government and international institutions.
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