US-Israel Relationship

At CUFI, we believe a strong, secure, and sovereign Israel is key to a strong and secure United States. Israel needs America, and America needs Israel. We are two nations with shared values, defending the same principles, and thus engaged in the same fight against common enemies. On May 14, 1948, the US was the first country to recognize the nascent State of Israel just eleven minutes after Israel declared its independence. Since then, the US has been a friend to Israel, our most critical ally in the Middle East. One of CUFI’s core concerns is to shape and strengthen the US-Israel relationship to the safety and security of both our nations.

US-Israel Relationship

Born in the Golan? U.S. passport will now say Israel

WASHINGTON – The State Department updated its manual to reflect President Donald Trump’s proclamation on the Golan Heights, and it now states that “US policy recognizes the Golan Heights as part of Israel. The Place of Birth for applicants born in the Golan Heights is Israel.” The previous version of the manual recognized the Golan as “Syrian…

US-Israel Relationship

Turkey criticizes US for designating Iran’s Revolution Guard a terror group

ANKARA, Turkey — The US decision to designate Iran’s Revolutionary Guard as a terrorist organization is a dangerous development that could lead to chaos, Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said Wednesday.

Speaking at a joint news conference with Iran’s Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif, the Turkish minister also said that US sanctions…

US-Israel Relationship

US counterterrorism coordinator leading delegation to Israel

The US Coordinator for Counterrorism will lead a delegation to Jerusalem.

Nathan Sales will arrive in Israel on Tuesday for the annual meeting of the US-Israel Joint Counterterrorism Group, the State Department announced on Monday.

It is the State Department’s longest-running strategic counterterrorism dialogue, the statement said.

“The United…

US-Israel Relationship

Boycotting Israel is anti-Semitic, newly appointed Trump envoy says

Elan Carr, the Trump administration’s new special envoy for combating anti-Semitism, said Thursday that organized boycotts of products made in Israeli settlements is anti-Semitic, even if the settlements are not recognized by international law.

Carr’s comments came on his first day in the congressionally mandated post left vacant by the…

US-Israel Relationship

US denies entry to founder of anti-Israel BDS movement

A founder of the anti-Israel Boycott, Divest and Sanctions (BDS) movement was barred from entering the U.S. on Wednesday, amid an escalating pushback against the anti-Israel movement in Congress.

Omar Barghouti was traveling to the U.S. for a speaking tour, the group said in a statement, when he was told by airline staff at Israel’s Ben Gurion…

US-Israel Relationship

Trump calls Netanyahu to congratulate him on victory

US President Donald Trump called Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to congratulate him on his election victory on Wednesday.

Trump sent his best wishes to Netanyahu and the Israeli public from Air Force One, the Prime Minister’s Office said in a statement.

During the call, Netanyahu thanked Trump for his support of Israel, including his recent…

US-Israel Relationship

US designates Iran’s Revolutionary Guards a foreign terror organization

US President Donald Trump officially designates Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps as a foreign terrorist organization.

“Today, I am formally announcing my Administration’s plan to designate Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), including its Quds Force, as a Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO) under Section 219 of the…

US-Israel Relationship

Officials confirm US to name Iran’s Revolutionary Guard a terror group Monday

WASHINGTON — The Trump administration is preparing to designate Iran’s Revolutionary Guards a “foreign terrorist organization,” an unprecedented move against a national armed force that could have widespread implications for US personnel and policy in the Middle East and elsewhere.

Officials informed of the step said an announcement was expected…

US-Israel Relationship

US cancels shipments of F-35 equipment to Turkey

The United States has put a hold on delivering F-35 fighter aircraft equipment to Turkey over Ankara’s “unacceptable” plans to buy a Russian air defense system, according to the Pentagon.

Until Turkey forgoes the delivery of Russia’s S-400 long-range air defense system, “the United States has suspended deliveries and activities associated with…

US-Israel Relationship

U.S. to put Israeli sovereignty over Golan Heights on the map

United States government maps are slated to be redrawn to reflect US President Donald Trump’s official recognition of Israeli sovereignty over the Golan Heights, according to a report by Voice of America.

A State Department spokesperson told VOA that the map changes would be “consistent” with Trump’s declaration, although he did not indicate how…

US-Israel Relationship

Trump signs document officially recognizing Israeli control over Golan

WASHINGTON – With Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu standing at his side, US President Donald Trump on Monday signed an official presidential proclamation recognizing Israeli sovereignty over the Golan Heights, formally giving Netanyahu a pre-election gift just two weeks before the elections.

“Today I am taking historic action to promote Israel’s…

US-Israel Relationship

In major shift, Trump says US should recognize Israel’s sovereignty over Golan

US President Donald Trump said Thursday that the time has come to “fully recognize” Israeli sovereignty over the Golan Heights, in another monumental shift in US Mideast policy by his administration.

“After 52 years it is time for the United States to fully recognize Israel’s Sovereignty over the Golan Heights, which is of critical strategic and…

US-Israel Relationship

After 55 Years, Trump Calls on America to Recognize Israel’s Right to the Golan Heights

On Thursday, President Donald Trump called on the United States to recognize Israel’s sovereignty over the Golan Heights, a disputed area that the Jewish State has controlled since the Six-Day War in 1967. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Christian leaders rushed to praise Trump for the declaration.

“After 52 years it is time for the…

US-Israel Relationship

Pompeo vows to pile economic, political pressure on Iran

Secretary of State Mike Pompeo told Fox News on Thursday that the United States would step up financial and political pressure on Iran’s theocratic regime as it seeks to “extend its reach” across the Middle East.

“You’ve seen us now designate militias inside of Iraq ,” Pompeo told “Fox News at Night” host Shannon Bream. “You’ve seen us designate…

US-Israel Relationship

Officials: US announcement on Golan Heights recognition could come next week

Israeli and US officials said they expect an announcement on US recognition of Israeli sovereignty over the Golan Heights could come as early as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s visit to Washington next week.
The officials spoke on condition of anonymity on Wednesday because the information had not yet been made public.
At a meeting Wednesday…

US-Israel Relationship

Thanks to Trump, diplomatic taboo around Western Wall comes tumbling down

On May 22, 2017, Donald Trump became the first sitting US president to visit the Western Wall. “Words fail to capture the experience,” he said a few hours later. “It will leave an impression on me forever.”
The historic visit took place several months before Trump formally recognized Jerusalem as Israel’s capital, and, following what was standard…

US-Israel Relationship

Pompeo to Rivlin: Israel has no better friend than the United States

President Reuven Rivlin met with US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo while he visited the country.

At the beginning of the meeting, Rivlin told Pompeo that he is “a great friend of Israel and we value your strong support very much.”

“The United States is Israel’s most important strategic ally and we deeply appreciate what you do for the security…

US-Israel Relationship

Trump to host Israel’s Netanyahu March 25-26: White House

WASHINGTON (Reuters) – U.S. President Donald Trump will host Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the White House next Monday and Tuesday, the White House said, reaffirming the two leaders’ close ties.

The announcement came shortly after Secretary of State Mike Pompeo landed in Tel Aviv on Wednesday and planned to deliver remarks…