Economic Factors and Migration Policies at Center of Transatlantic Antisemitism Debate
"Blaming 'old Europe' for the present surge in antisemitism is disgraceful," wrote Rabbi Yehuda Kaploun, the U.S. special envoy to monitor and combat antisemitism, in a public criticism of remarks made by Rabbi Pinchas Goldschmidt, president of the Conference of European Rabbis (JTA). This exchange marks the latest development in an ongoing dispute between prominent Jewish leaders over the economic and demographic drivers of rising antisemitism across Europe. The disagreement, which escalated into a public clash in January 2026, centers on differing interpretations of migration patterns and their relationship to hostility toward Jewish communities.
The dispute originated from comments made by Rabbi Goldschmidt at the World Economic Forum on January 22, 2026, where he linked broader political developments in Europe to immigration-related anxieties (JTA). Goldschmidt, a former chief rabbi of Moscow who departed Russia after refusing to endorse the war in Ukraine, represents a European rabbinic establishment that has historically maintained distinct perspectives from U.S. counterparts on matters of communal security and demographic change (JTA). Within hours of Kaploun's critique, Goldschmidt responded by rejecting the characterization of his remarks, stating they had been taken out of context (JTA).
"I never blamed 'old Europe' for the current rise in antisemitism. My Davos comments were intended to explain political reactions to immigration, not to excuse antisemitic attacks," Goldschmidt clarified in his response (JTA). The rabbi further elaborated that he views antisemitism as stemming from multiple ideological sources, including the far right, the far left, and radical Islamist violence, rather than attributing it to a single cause (JTA). This nuanced position stands in contrast to the more direct correlation between migration patterns and antisemitic incidents suggested by U.S. officials.
Kaploun, who was nominated for the antisemitism envoy position by President Trump, has emphasized that mass migration has played a significant role in recent antisemitic violence and threats to Jewish safety (JTA). His perspective aligns with statements made by Vice President JD Vance, who said in December 2025 that reducing immigration was "the single most significant thing" the United States could do to curb antisemitism (JTA). This position represents a specific economic and demographic analysis that places population movements at the center of community tensions.
The transatlantic disagreement gained additional visibility when Elon Musk, the owner of X (formerly Twitter), amplified Kaploun's critique by reposting his comments and replying, "Exactly. Thank you for speaking up" (JTA). This endorsement from one of the world's wealthiest individuals and influential media platform owners elevated the dispute beyond rabbinic circles into broader public discourse about immigration policies and their economic implications for minority communities.
Goldschmidt noted that the October 7, 2024, Hamas-led attack on Israel had triggered a dramatic global rise in antisemitic incidents, including what he described as organized and state-sponsored activity on university campuses and in public spaces (JTA). This observation points to the complex interplay of international events, domestic politics, and demographic shifts that contribute to the current climate of hostility toward Jewish communities in various European nations.
The debate extends beyond theoretical discussions into practical policy implications. Kaploun stated he is "proud to serve in an administration that understands that mass migration is a huge driver of antisemitism" (JTA). This position frames immigration control as a security measure for Jewish communities, suggesting that demographic stability serves as a protective factor against intergroup hostility. Critics of this view argue that it oversimplifies complex social phenomena and potentially stigmatizes immigrant communities.
A parallel controversy emerged in January 2026 when Minnesota Governor Tim Walz invoked Anne Frank in discussions of federal immigration raids, stating: "We have got children in Minnesota hiding in their houses, afraid to go outside. Many of us grew up reading that story of Anne Frank" (NEWSBREAK). This comparison drew swift rebuke from both Kaploun and the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum, which stated that "Anne Frank was targeted and murdered solely because she was Jewish. Leaders making false equivalencies to her experience for political purposes is never acceptable" (JTA).
Kaploun responded directly to Walz's comparison, tweeting that "Anne Frank was in Amsterdam legally and abided by Dutch law. She was hauled off to a death camp because of her race and religion. Her story has nothing to do with the illegal immigration, fraud, and lawlessness plaguing Minnesota today" (NEWSBREAK). However, some historians challenged Kaploun's characterization, pointing out that the Frank family had defied official papers ordering Anne's sister Margot to report to a labor camp (JTA). Historian Joel Swanson wrote that "The Frank family ignored their call-up, meaning they were officially in Amsterdam illegally from this point on" (NEWSBREAK).
The historical context adds complexity to contemporary debates about migration and security. Historian John Ganz noted that "The German regime first created mass statelessness to facilitate the Holocaust. In every European country occupied by the Nazis, collaborationist governments might nominally protect citizen Jews, but were happy and relieved to see stateless and 'illegal' immigrants disappear" (NEWSBREAK). This historical perspective challenges simplified narratives about legal status and vulnerability.
The dispute between Kaploun and Goldschmidt reflects broader tensions in how Jewish community leaders understand and respond to contemporary antisemitism. Kaploun, affiliated with the Chabad-Lubavitch movement, represents an approach that has gained prominence in Russia and parts of Europe (JTA). This movement has grown into a dominant force in Jewish communal life across multiple regions, often bringing distinct perspectives on security concerns and community relations compared to established European Jewish institutions.
The economic dimension of this debate cannot be overlooked. Concerns about competition for resources, housing pressures, and labor market changes often underlie public anxiety about migration patterns. These economic factors interact with cultural and religious differences to create complex social dynamics that can manifest as hostility toward minority groups, including Jewish communities. Understanding these economic drivers is essential for developing effective responses to antisemitism that address root causes rather than symptoms.
As this debate continues to evolve, the differing perspectives between U.S. and European Jewish leaders highlight the importance of nuanced approaches to combating antisemitism that acknowledge both security concerns and the dangers of scapegoating vulnerable populations. The economic and demographic factors contributing to contemporary antisemitism require careful analysis that avoids oversimplification while recognizing legitimate security concerns within Jewish communities across Europe and North America.