Senate Majority Leader Loretta Weinberg, Senate Democratic Conference Leader Bob Gordon and Senator Bob Singer joined a group of over 60 Jewish state legislators from across the United States in a letter to President Donald Trump asking him to appoint a Special Envoy to Monitor and Combat anti-Semitism.

The Trump Administration has signaled that it does not plan to replace the Special Envoy to Monitor and Combat Anti-Semitism at the State Department. The remaining staff in that office will be transferred to other offices this month. The Special Envoy plays a key role in diminishing anti-Jewish hatred overseas — and has been mandated by law since the George W. Bush Administration.

This position has been important to fighting anti-Semitism and past envoys have made key accomplishments to fight hate abroad.

“We need to take action at every level to combat anti-Semitism, both in the United States and around the world. The Special Envoy plays a vital role in monitoring anti-Semitism across the globe and in developing strategies to combat it,” said Senator Weinberg (D-Bergen). “With our colleagues from 25 other states, we are asking the President to act expeditiously to make this appointment. Filling this position is crucial to the effort to fight hateful acts against members of the Jewish community wherever they occur.”

“Failing to appoint a Special Envoy would be an unacceptable reversal of United States policy aimed at combatting hate and violence. Presidents of both parties and Congress have supported this position, which is required by federal law, and it is imperative that this administration maintain the commitment to this effort in the Department of State by acting immediately. The United States must be a global leader in promoting religious freedom and protecting human rights. This is vital to that mission,” said Senator Gordon (D-Bergen and Passaic).

“In recent months we’ve seen numerous threats of violence against Jewish Community Centers throughout the country,” Senator Singer said (R-Monmouth and Ocean). “We must do more to keep anti-Semitism from taking root in our country and the rest of the world. We cannot continue to effectively track the rise in anti-Semitism, or deter people from committing these vile acts, without reappointing a Special Envoy. I hope that the administration will heed our call and fill this vacancy as soon as possible.”