MUNICH (VINnews) — President Donald Trump’s envoy for combating antisemitism held what both sides described as a productive first meeting with Prince Faisal bin Farhan on the sidelines of the Munich Security Conference, amid concern over rising anti-Israel rhetoric in Saudi Arabia.

Rabbi Yehuda Kaploun, the U.S. special envoy to monitor and combat antisemitism, met with the Saudi foreign minister for more than an hour on Saturday. In a statement, the Saudi Foreign Ministry said the two reviewed efforts to promote dialogue and tolerance, combat extremism and strengthen coexistence.

Kaploun later described the talks as “very productive,” saying the discussion focused on concrete steps to counter extremism and reduce inflammatory rhetoric. He also referenced broader regional dynamics, including efforts by the Trump administration to weaken Hamas and Hezbollah, arguing that regional stability depends on dismantling militant groups.

سمو وزير الخارجية يلتقي المبعوث الأمريكي الخاص لمكافحة معاداة السامية، ويستعرضان جهود نشر قيم الحوار والتسامح ومحاربة التطرف، وأهمية إثراء التفاهم والتعايش المشترك. https://t.co/oQwfUM0PSE#واس pic.twitter.com/jKUayRztOt

— واس العام (@SPAregions) February 14, 2026

The meeting comes as Saudi commentators and media figures have in recent weeks intensified criticism of Israel, Zionism and the Abraham Accords, at times using language Jewish groups have described as antisemitic. Community leaders in the United States have voiced concern that such rhetoric could complicate normalization efforts between Israel and Arab states.

Kaploun said both sides agreed that reducing extreme rhetoric is essential to fostering mutual respect among religions and nations. He expressed cautious optimism about what he described as gradual progress toward regional stability.

The talks followed a separate meeting in Washington earlier this month between Khalid bin Salman and leaders of major American Jewish organizations, including the American Jewish Committee, the Anti-Defamation League, the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations, and the Republican Jewish Coalition.

According to participants in that meeting, the Saudi defense minister emphasized ongoing security coordination and warned that failure to confront Iran militarily would embolden Tehran. He also reportedly said anti-Israel commentary in the kingdom does not reflect the position of the Saudi royal leadership.

The diplomatic contacts underscore continued behind-the-scenes engagement between Washington and Riyadh as tensions persist across the Middle East.