Special Envoy to Monitor and Combat Antisemitism

Congress created the Office to Monitor and Combat Anti-Semitism in the Global Anti-Semitism Review Act of 2004, after a rise in attacks on Jewish communities in Europe and elsewhere. The office reports on antisemitic incidents abroad, contributes to the State Department's annual human rights and religious freedom reports, and works with foreign governments and international organizations to counter antisemitism.

A law signed in January 2021 elevated the envoy to ambassador rank, required Senate confirmation, and directed that the envoy report directly to the Secretary of State. The office promotes a working definition of antisemitism adopted by the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance and used by the State Department. It is one of a small number of envoy posts that Congress requires by law, along with others such as the hostage affairs envoy and the ambassador at large for international religious freedom.

Antisemitic incidents rose sharply worldwide after the Hamas attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, and the envoy's role drew more attention. Debates about the post often concern the definition of antisemitism, especially how it treats criticism of Israel, which supporters say is necessary to identify modern antisemitism and critics say could chill political speech. Both parties have supported the office, and it is the only envoy post in the second Trump term listed with ambassador rank.