ISSUES

At CUFI, we are focused on several key issues with the goal of defending Israel’s strength, security, and sovereignty.

If you want to keep up with all things Israel, sign up for CUFI’s Daily Briefing – our daily news roundup created exclusively for CUFI members. Every morning, Monday through Friday, receive an email with some of the top headlines in the news so you are always informed and ready to debunk lies with the truth.

October 8 – Conroe, TX

October 7 – Conroe, TX

Thousands of runners take part in the Bible Marathon that sees new time record

Over 4,000 runners took part in the fifth edition of the Bible Marathon on Friday. The marathon covered a route from the Rosh Hayin area to Shiloh, inspired by the ancient Book of Judges.

The winner, Adisu Osano from Rishon Etzion, crossed the finish line in 3:02:42, breaking a new record for the event, which is considered especially challenging...

Syria

Turkey agrees with US to pause Syria assault while Kurds withdraw

Turkey agreed on Thursday to pause its offensive in Syria for five days to let Kurdish forces withdraw from a "safe zone" Ankara had sought to capture, in a deal hailed by Washington but which Turkish leaders cast as a complete victory.

The truce was announced by US Vice President Mike Pence after talks in Ankara with Turkey's President Tayyip...

Trump envoy Jared Kushner to lead US delegation to Israel

White House senior adviser Jared Kushner will lead a US delegation to Israel at the end of the month to meet Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Blue and White chairman Benny Gantz, a senior administration official said on Thursday.

Kushner has been leading President Donald Trump's effort to develop a peace plan for Israelis and Palestinians.
...

Jewish group planting ‘trees of life’ to honor synagogue shooting victims

The Jewish organization United With Israel is inviting people to sponsor the planting of more than 20 different fruit trees in Israel in memory of the 12 victims of the synagogue shootings in Pittsburgh and Poway, California.

“Join us in planting 12,000 trees of life! Make the land even more beautiful in their memory,” it said on the project’s...

Pompeo arrives in Jerusalem, reiterates pledge to counter Iran

Secretary of State Mike Pompeo underscored US-Israeli efforts to counter Iran in talks with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Friday, in an apparent attempt to ease concerns in Israel that Tehran could exploit a US military pullback in Syria.

Pompeo and Netanyahu met in Jerusalem hours after Turkey agreed with the United States to pause its...

Syria

Turkey agrees to temporary ceasefire in Syria

(October 17, 2019 / JNS) Turkey agreed on Thursday to a temporary ceasefire in northern Syria, where it has moved its forces in against the Kurds, who are still reeling from what they say is a betrayal by the United States after U.S. President Donald Trump abruptly withdrew military forces last week from the area.

Following a five-hour meeting in...

Pro-Israel organizations increasingly alarmed over conflagration in Syria

(October 17, 2019 / JNS) The sudden decision of U.S. President Donald Trump last week to withdraw its forces from northern Syria, effectively taking them out of the country and putting them elsewhere in the Mideast, led to an immediate invasion by Turkish forces marked by violence.

Rallies have taken place in Israel and Europe in support of the...

Pompeo lands in Israel to meet Netanyahu, discuss regional security

(October 18, 2019 / JNS) U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo arrived in Israel late Thursday night for a meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to discuss regional issues, including the current conflict in Syria.

Pompeo flew from Turkey, where he had joined U.S. Vice President Mike Pence in what was described as a cold meeting...

Archaeologists uncover 20 ancient coffins in Egypt

CAIRO — Egypt’s Antiquities Ministry said archaeologists have uncovered at least 20 ancient wooden coffins in the southern city of Luxor.

A brief statement from the ministry on Tuesday said archaeologists found the coffins in the Asasif Necropolis. The necropolis, located in the ancient town of West Thebes, includes tombs dating back to the...

Pompeo to visit Israel Thursday for talks on Syria — report

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo will reportedly visit Israel Thursday for talks on Syria following the pullout of American soldiers and Turkey’s launching of a military offensive against Kurdish fighters.

According to Channel 13 news, Pompeo will travel to Israel after visiting Turkey with Vice President Mike Pence. The report, which quoted...

IDF downs drone flown in from Gaza Strip

Israeli forces brought down a drone on Thursday as it was flying in the area of the border fence along the Gaza Strip, the Israel Defense Forces said.

The drone was detected in the area of the southern Gaza Strip and “was brought down by IDF troops,” the army said in a statement.

The army did not give details on the size or design of the drone,...

Lauder slams de Blasio for tepid response to anti-Semitic attacks in New York City

(October 16, 2019 / JNS) World Jewish Congress president Ronald S. Lauder blasted New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio for the uptick in anti-Semitic crimes in the city.

“This is a crisis for all New Yorkers,” Lauder told The New York Post. “And Mayor de Blasio needs to understand press releases won’t fix the problem. We need actions, not words....

Palestinian man rams IDF armored vehicle near Ramallah, is shot by troops

Immediately after the attack, local Arabs began throwing firebombs and other objects at Israel Defense Forces, which responded with riot-control measures.

(October 17, 2019 / JNS) A 20-year-old Arab man from eastern Jerusalem who attempted to run over Israeli soldiers near Ramallah in the West Bank early on Wednesday morning was shot and...

Despite delays, US vice president still plans to visit Israel, Pence’s office says

U.S. Vice President Mike Pence's office on Monday said he still plans on visiting Israel this month, despite an apparent delay in the schedule.

Pence had been scheduled to come during the week of Jan. 14. But Israel's Foreign Ministry said Monday that the visit was no longer on the schedule for January.

Ministry spokesman Emmanuel Nahshon gave...

Syria troops fighting Turkish forces alongside Kurds, says monitor

BEIRUT, Lebanon — The Syrian army deployed alongside Kurdish forces on the front line in northern Syria Wednesday but their newfound cooperation saw no let-up in the week-old Turkish invasion, a monitor said.

In a rare scene in Syria’s eight-year-old civil war, government troops and Kurdish fighters were “fighting together” against Turkey’s...

Israeli Technology

Israel to construct first waste-to-energy power plant

The Finance Ministry and Ministry of Environmental Protection have announced plans to construct Israel’s first waste-to-energy power plant, estimated to cost NIS 1 billion.

An inter-ministerial committee for the treatment of waste, estimated at 5 million tons annually, published Thursday a pre-qualification document ahead of the...

Rafael delivers US army tank protection systems

The Israeli company's first consignment of Trophy anti-missile protection systems is part of a $500 million deal with the US Army.

Israeli defense electronics company Rafael Advanced Defense Systems Ltd. says that it has delivered a first consignment of Trophy anti-missile protection systems to the US Army for Abrams tanks and armored personnel...

October 6 – St. Joseph, MO