Former Congresswoman Elise Stefanik's commitment to combating antisemitism is gaining renewed attention following her confirmation as the U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations. Israeli Minister for Diaspora Affairs and Combating Antisemitism, Amichai Chikli, expressed strong support for Stefanik, highlighting her previous questioning of university administrators regarding campus antisemitism during a Congressional hearing. He views her appointment to the UN, often considered a hostile environment for Israel, as a positive step.
Stefanik's tough stance on antisemitism was evident in a 2023 hearing where she challenged the presidents of Harvard, the University of Pennsylvania, and MIT, asking if calls for genocide against Jews violated their institutions' codes of conduct. This hearing foreshadowed a subsequent House report on antisemitism, spearheaded by then-Speaker Mike Johnson, which proposed concrete measures to address the issue, including stricter enforcement of Title VI, scrutinizing foreign funding to universities, and potentially revoking funding for organizations promoting antisemitism or supporting terrorism.
Chikli emphasized the importance of tackling antisemitism within UNRWA, the UN agency providing aid to Palestinians. He argued that UNRWA's educational system fosters a culture of antisemitism, citing examples of schools named after terrorists and textbooks containing inflammatory content. He advocated for the agency's closure, a move supported by Israel, which banned UNRWA operations within its borders effective January 30, 2025.
Stefanik has pledged to combat antisemitism at the UN, which she labeled a "den of antisemitism," and criticized the organization's historical treatment of Israel. During her confirmation hearing, she advocated for reducing funding to UNRWA. This stance aligns with the Biden administration's temporary funding halt in 2024 following allegations of UNRWA staff involvement in the October 7, 2023 Hamas attacks.
The involvement of UNRWA staff in the Hamas attacks, later confirmed by UNRWA Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini, further fueled calls for reform or replacement of the agency. Ayelet Samerano, whose son was a victim of the attacks, has been a vocal advocate for UNRWA's closure, emphasizing the need for an alternative organization that prioritizes peace and provides opportunities for Gazans.
Israeli Ambassador to the UN, Danny Danon, expressed confidence in Stefanik's ability to address antisemitism within the UN, praising her commitment to justice and truth.
