EXCLUSIVE: Rabbi Yehuda Kaploun Sworn in as US Antisemitism Envoy

In a ceremony held Monday afternoon at the State Department, Rabbi Yehuda Kaploun was sworn in as the United States Special Envoy to Monitor and Combat Antisemitism, filling a critical vacancy that has remained open since January, sources in the administration tell Belaaz.

The swearing-in, which took place around 12:00 p.m., was presided over by an assistant to Secretary of State Marco Rubio. Rabbi Kaploun, a prominent askan and long-time ally to President Donald Trump, assumes the ambassador-level post following a confirmation process that concluded last Thursday with a Senate vote of 53 to 43 in favor of his appointment.

Sources told Belaaz that the ceremony was supposed to be on a grander scale, but the Administration wanted Kaploun to begin his work as soon as possible after having to pass a lot of confirmation hurdles. The sources added that a larger celebration will be held in Kaploun’s honor in the coming weeks.

Speaking exclusively to Belaaz shortly after the confirmation, Rabbi Kaploun expressed his deep appreciation for the appointment.

“First of all, I would like to thank President Trump and Secretary Rubio for placing their trust in me to represent the United States globally to combat antisemitism,” Rabbi Kaploun told Belaaz.

Rabbi Kaploun steps into the role previously held by Deborah Lipstadt, who left the post in January 2025. The position of Special Envoy is tasked with developing and implementing U.S. foreign policy on antisemitism. Rabbi Kaploun will be responsible for documenting trends in antisemitism worldwide, pressing foreign governments to protect their Jewish communities, and coordinating U.S. diplomatic efforts to fight anti-Jewish hatred.

He faces an immediate and daunting challenge. According to the ADL’s Global 100 index released earlier this year, approximately 46% of the world’s adult population reportedly harbors antisemitic attitudes, a figure that has spiked significantly in the last two years. With incidents of harassment and violence against Jews rising globally, including two high-profile terror attacks within a few months of each other – the Yom Kippur attack on a shul in Manchester and the Bondi Beach massacre last week – the new Envoy will have his hands full from day one.

With the oath of office now administered, Rabbi Kaploun is expected to immediately begin staffing his office and setting an agenda to address the surging tide of antisemitism affecting Jewish communities worldwide.