NJN Opposes Kaploun Nomination as Antisemitism Envoy

November 19,2025—Following today’s Senate Foreign Relations Committee hearing on Rabbi Yehuda Kaploun’s nomination to serve as the Special Envoy to Monitor and Combat Antisemitism at the State Department, NJN called on the committee to reject his nomination.

Hadar Susskind, NJN President and CEO, said:

“We should all be concerned about the dramatic rise in antisemitism and by the lack of seriousness that the current administration affords it. Instead of working to address this threat, American Jews have seen the president exploit antisemitism as a weapon with which to attack his political opponents, restrict free speech, and chill academic freedom. This not only minimizes the very real hatred our community faces, but it also threatens the strong democracy that has allowed our community to thrive in America.

“I had concerns about this nomination even before today’s testimony because Rabbi Kaploun had been complicit in weaponizing antisemitism. As documented by a number of members of Congress, he made blatantly false accusations and failed to respond to antisemitic comments made by President Trump in his presence.

“I have even more concerns following today’s testimony during which he glossed over the President’s failure to call out Nick Fuentes and this administration’s troubling flirtation with right-leaning antisemites. I heard Rabbi Kaploun misapply the IHRA definition to shield the Israeli government, struggling to concede that one could criticize the Israeli government’s conduct in Gaza without being antisemitic. This was not the testimony of an individual with the integrity, knowledge, or skills necessary to serve in this role.

“My message to the Senate today is that American Jews are smart enough to know when our leaders are taking our fears seriously and when they are exploiting us as political pawns. The administration’s weaponization of antisemitism has been appalling. Confirmation of Rabbi Kaploun adds insult to injury.”