The post of special envoy to monitor and combat anti-Semitism, which has been vacant since President Donald Trump took office in January, will be filled, the US State Department spokesman said.

The envoy post has been vacant since Trump took office in January. On Thursday, JTA reported that the envoy’s office staff could be eliminated soon due to new State Department employment rules.

The envoy is responsible for keeping tabs on global anti-Semitism and advising other countries in fighting it.

In a statement to the Jewish Telegraphic Agency, spokesman Mark Toner didn’t address whether the envoy’s staff would remain intact. But he said the department will continue its work to protect religious freedoms globally, and that it has selected candidates for the envoy post.

“The Department remains committed to advancing the protection of basic human freedoms and values including the unimpeded practice of religion and protection of communities of faith from persecution in every form,” the statement said. “There have been no actions taken to limit or close the offices in the Department dedicated to this pursuit. Candidates have been identified for this role.”

Jewish organizations have called on President Trump to fill the position, which was created by congressional legislation in 2004 and was last held by Ira Forman in the Obama administration.

The World Jewish Congress said that increasing anti-Semitism in Europe and elsewhere proves the need for a U.S. envoy. The Anti-Defamation League called the position’s creation “a watershed moment in the fight against anti-Jewish hatred,” and demanded that US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson clarify how the department will fight anti-Semitism while the post remains empty.

In 2015, the European Commission appointed a German national, Katherina von Schnurbein, as Coordinator on combating anti-Semitism. Before her nomination, she had been coordinating the Commission's dialogue with Churches, religions, philosophical and non-confessional organisations.