In The News

The truth is a powerful weapon, but it is hard to find in a world where we are inundated with agenda-driven reporting. The CUFI Daily Briefing will help you understand current events so you can become a confident defender of Israel.

Sign up to receive our daily email news roundup – so you can fight the lies with truth.

SIGN UP NOW

Palestinian terrorists issue death threat on American as Biden admin seeks closer ties

03/29/2021

After more than a week of silence in the face of questions, the State Department said it is concerned about the safety of a prominent pro-democracy Palestinian-American who recently received death threats from a terror organization affiliated with Palestinian president Mahmoud Abbas.

Fadi Elsalameen, a human-rights and…

Oldest surviving ‘Righteous Among Nations,’ who saved Jewish boy, dies age 101

03/30/2021

The oldest surviving person to bear the title of Righteous Among the Nations, Anna Kozminska, died last week at the age of 101, Poland’s Institute for Remembrance has said.

She was to be buried on Tuesday at the Powązki Cemetery in Warsaw.

Kozminska was believed to be the be oldest living person recognized by…

In The News

Bahrain appoints first-ever ambassador to Israel

03/30/2021

Foreign Minister Gabi Ashkenazi approved Bahrain’s first-ever ambassador to Israel on Tuesday, ahead of the Gulf state opening its embassy in the coming weeks.

Bahraini Foreign Minister Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani appointed Khaled Yousif al-Jalahama to the position on Sunday. Jalahama is the Director of Operations at Bahrain’s…

Almost all remaining Jews in Yemen deported – Saudi media

03/29/2021

The last three Jewish families in Yemen were deported by the Iranian-backed Houthi rebels, leaving only four elderly Jews in the country, after heavy pressure by the Houthis, the London-based Saudi daily Asharq Al-Awsatreported over the weekend.

The families, totaling 13 people, told Asharq Al-Awsat that they were now searching…

UAE’s ambassador to Israel extends warm Passover wishes to Jewish community

03/29/2021
Mohammad Mahmoud Al Khajah posted his message in Hebrew and English

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) ambassador to Israel tweeted a message for the Passover holiday on Sunday evening in which he called for celebrating freedom and new beginnings.
Mohammad Mahmoud Al Khaja, who is currently not in the country, posted his message in…

Iraq’s Jewish community dwindles to fewer than five

03/28/2021
A turning point for Jewish history in Iraq came with the first pogroms in the mid-20th century

The death of Dhafer Eliyahu hit Iraq hard, not only because the doctor treated the neediest for free, but because with his passing, only four Jews now remain in the country.
At the Habibiya Jewish cemetery in the capital Baghdad, wedged…

Palestinian arrested after attempting to ram vehicle into IDF soldiers

03/28/2021

A Palestinian driver tried to ram his vehicle into a group of Israel Defense Forces soldiers near the West Bank settlement of Ma’ale Adumim on Sunday, the IDF said.

The vehicle instead hit several other Israeli vehicles and the suspect was arrested. There were no injuries reported in the incident, at the parking lot of the Ein…

‘Iron Sting’: Israel completes testing of ‘groundbreaking’ laser-guided mortar

03/14/2021

A new laser-guided mortar completed trials and will bring greater firepower to smaller units while reducing collateral damage to noncombatants due to its high levels of accuracy, the Defense Ministry said in a statement Sunday.

The Iron Sting 120mm mortar was developed by the ministry along with the Israel Defense Forces and Elbit…

Iran and China formally sign 25-year cooperation pact

03/27/2021
Iran and China signed a 25-year “strategic cooperation pact” Saturday in the latest expansion of Beijing’s flagship trillion-dollar Belt and Road Initiative as the US rivals move closer together.
Negotiations for the deal, launched five years ago, sparked controversy in Iran last year and virtually no details of its contents have been…

In The News

China, Iran to sign 25-year cooperation accord

03/26/2021
Accord expected to include Chinese investments in Iran’s energy and infrastructure sectors

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi arrived in Iran on Friday for a visit reports said would see the signing of a 25-year cooperation agreement between the two countries, both of which are under US sanctions.
This comes one day after China…

In The News

Biden admin restores US humanitarian aid to Palestinians

03/25/2021
US to transfer $15 million to ‘the most vulnerable communities’ through a charity

US President Joe Biden’s administration will restore aid to the Palestinians that was cut by his predecessor Donald Trump, the US Ambassador to the United Nations Linda Thomas-Greenfield said on Thursday.
“President Biden is restoring US assistance…

With new tech, Israel prepares for Hezbollah war

03/26/2021

Defending the border from Hezbollah infiltration, destroying anti-tank missile infrastructures and maneuvering inside enemy territory are just some of the skills that were exercised in the 188th Armored Brigade drill that was completed on Thursday. 

The brigade’s drill was the culmination of a 17-week training session. The 53rd,…

Lawmakers Investigate State Department Over $1 Billion Ransom Payment to Iran

03/25/2021

Republican foreign policy leaders in Congress are pressing Secretary of State Antony Blinken to fully disclose the contents of secret talks with South Korea that are believed to have paved the way for that country to hand Iran $1 billion as part of a ransom payment.

Reps. Bryan Steil (R., Wis.), Jim Banks (R., Ind.), and Greg…

Iran fired missile at Israeli ship in Arabian Sea – report

03/25/2021

An Iranian missile was fired at an Israeli ship in the Persian Gulf, N12 reported Thursday.

The container ship is owned by an Israeli businessman and was making its way from Tanzania from India, N12 reported.

As the ship sailed between Indian and Oman, it was hit by a missile that damaged it, according to N12.

The incident…

The story of Passover

03/25/2021
CUFI Coffee Break

Being Jewish means much more than belonging to a religious group. In fact, you can be religious or secular and still be Jewish. Essentially, the Jewish people are made up of a group of individuals who share a common identity. That identity is made up of key aspects, including:…

The Biden administration must enforce the Taylor Force Act

03/25/2021

In May 2020, then-presidential candidate Joe Biden spoke clearly when he proclaimed that he would “fully support the Taylor Force Act, which prohibits aid to the PA based on payments they make to terrorists in Israeli jails.” While it’s not uncommon for a candidate’s promises to go unfulfilled once they take office, Biden was…

Israeli, Slovak defense ministries sign $175 million defense-export agreement

03/25/2021

Israel and Slovakia on Thursday signed a first-of-its-kind, $175 million agreement for the procurement of 17 sophisticated radar systems for the Slovak Air Force, according to a statement by Israel’s Defense Ministry.

The agreement, which was signed in a festive ceremony at the Slovak Ministry of Defense in Bratislava, includes…

In The News

Colin Kahl’s nomination will be a disaster for Israel and the region

03/23/2021

For many years, American and Israeli leaders were rightly proud of repeating the mantra that excellent relations between the two nations was a bipartisan issue in Washington. Obviously, for a variety of reasons, that truism has faltered in recent years even while remaining broadly accurate.

However, the nomination of Colin…