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.

About the World Jewish Congress

The World Jewish Congress (WJC) is the international organization representing Jewish communities in 100 countries to governments, parliaments and international organizations.