Ocean County Leader

Rep. Chris Smith has expressed his support for the nomination of Rabbi Yehuda Kaploun as the U.S. Special Envoy to Monitor and Combat Anti-Semitism. This role was initially created through legislative measures Smith introduced in 2004 and later elevated to an ambassadorial position by a law he authored in 2020.

"Rabbi Yehuda Kaploun sees the threat of antisemitism for what it is – a mortal threat to Jews in the United States, Israel, and throughout the world, particularly in its manifestation of Middle-Eastern terrorism and its connections to terrorist sympathizers in the United States, including on many U.S. campuses," said Smith. He highlighted Kaploun's close relationship with the President as a factor that would contribute to his effectiveness in combating antisemitism.

Smith, who serves as co-chair of the Congressional Bipartisan Taskforce for Combating Anti-Semitism, has been active in introducing laws and resolutions aimed at fighting antisemitism. His legislative efforts in 2004 established the position of the Special Envoy along with the Office to Monitor and Combat Anti-Semitism within the State Department. The 2020 law expanded on these efforts to further strengthen the office.

Rabbi Kaploun, a businessman from Florida involved in Jewish community life and charity, has been active in public life recently, particularly in President Trump’s campaign, as a response to rising threats of antisemitism. In a 2024 interview, Kaploun remarked, “Our situation is similar to that of Jews in 1930s Germany, on the eve of Kristallnacht." Upon naming Kaploun as Special Envoy, President Trump stated, "With antisemitism dangerously on the rise, Yehuda will be the strongest representative for Americans and Jews across the globe and promote peace."

Smith expressed his hopes for Kaploun’s success, saying, “I wish Rabbi Kaploun every success in the all-important work of countering a global increase of threats and acts of violence against Jews, and I look forward to working with him.”