Jewish Groups Celebrate Lipstadt’s Confirmation As Antisemitism Envoy

Myriad Jewish groups celebrated Emory University Professor Deborah Lipstadt’s confirmation as Special Envoy to Monitor and Combat Antisemitism on March 30.

Lipstadt, who was nominated by President Joe Biden in July 2021, received a unanimous vote in favor of her confirmation after Senate Republicans held up her vote. Senator Ron Johnson (R-WI) in particular stalled her nomination after she had previously accused him of expressing a white supremacist view over comments he made in March 2021 saying he wasn’t concerned during the January 6 storming of the Capitol but would have been concerned if the protesters were Black Lives Matter and antifa members.

Anti-Defamation League (ADL) CEO Jonathan Greenblatt tweeted, “Mazal Tov to Dr. @DeborahLipstadt on her confirmation as the US Special Envoy to Monitor and Combat Antisemitism. I look forward to working w/her & feel excited that such an eminently qualified person will lead the US govt effort to combat #antisemitism around the world.”

Mazal Tov to Dr. @DeborahLipstadt on her confirmation as the US Special Envoy to Monitor and Combat Antisemitism. I look forward to working w/her & feel excited that such an eminently qualified person will lead the US govt effort to combat #antisemitism around the world. https://t.co/IQOJTy9gVf

— Jonathan Greenblatt (@JGreenblattADL) March 31, 2022

The American Jewish Committee similarly tweeted, “We applaud the Senate for confirming Professor @DeborahLipstadt as U.S. Special Antisemitism Envoy. For 40 years, she has taught the lessons of the Holocaust and antisemitism. Her confirmation is a critical step in the fight against Jew-hatred around the globe.”

We applaud the Senate for confirming Professor @DeborahLipstadt as U.S. Special Antisemitism Envoy.

For 40 years, she has taught the lessons of the Holocaust and antisemitism.

Her confirmation is a critical step in the fight against Jew-hatred around the globe.

— American Jewish Committee (@AJCGlobal) March 31, 2022

Conference of Presidents of Major Jewish American Organizations CEO William Daroff also said in a statement, “Having been involved with the creation of the post, working with the late Senator George Voinovich (R-OH) and the late Rep. Tom Lantos (D-CA), I can attest that her expertise is needed now more than ever – with antisemitism and Jew-hatred at seemingly all-time highs. We are still haunted as a community be the attack on the synagogue in Colleyville, Texas at the beginning of the year. And this week in Israel, terrorists claiming allegiance to the Islamic State have killed 11 innocent people in three different cities. We offer our full support at this critical time on behalf of American Jewry and look forward to working with Ambassador Lipstadt in the ongoing fight against antisemitism.”

Union of Reform Judaism President Rabbi Rick Jacobs tweeted, “It took way too long but we are excited that the most qualified person for the job will finally be able to get busy combatting antisemitism.”

It took way too long but we are excited that the most qualified person for the job will finally be able to get busy combatting antisemitism. As Debbie Friedman’s musical tribute to her friend ⁦@deborahlipstadt⁩ says: “Arise Devorah!” pic.twitter.com/reXWvjFE7Q

— Rabbi Rick Jacobs (@URJPresident) March 31, 2022

Jewish Democratic Council of America (JDCA) CEO Halie Soifer said in a statement, “We are thrilled that the inimitable Ambassador Deborah Lipstadt has been confirmed for this important role with the rank of Ambassador. Her extensive experience and qualifications are unparalleled, and Jews around the world will no doubt benefit from having her in this role.” She criticized Senate Republicans for stalling her nomination, calling their opposition a “paper tiger” and a “political game.” “Republicans’ unconscionable delay of Ambassador Lipstadt’s confirmation hindered the ability of the U.S. government to monitor and combat global antisemitism for nearly a year,” Soifer added. “JDCA is grateful to President Biden and Democratic senators for ensuring Ambassador Lipstadt’s confirmation. Now, she can get to work and do what she has done for decades: expose antisemitism and root it out wherever and whenever it may emerge.”

Democratic Majority for Israel similarly tweeted, “Congratulations to Amb. @deborahlipstadt
on her unanimous confirmation in the Senate to be Special Envoy to Monitor and Combat Antisemitism. That the GOP chose to needlessly delay a vote on her nomination for 8 months is a sad commentary on their commitment to fighting this hate.”

Congratulations to Amb. @deborahlipstadt on her unanimous confirmation in the Senate to be Special Envoy to Monitor and Combat Antisemitism. That the GOP chose to needlessly delay a vote on her nomination for 8 months is a sad commentary on their commitment to fighting this hate. https://t.co/KR5lIcCSEe

— Democratic Majority for Israel (@DemMaj4Israel) March 31, 2022