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.

In The News

Senate unanimously confirms Deborah Lipstadt as antisemitism monitor

The Senate in a voice vote unanimously confirmed Deborah Lipstadt, the Holocaust scholar who endured delays and a contentious hearing in her nomination to be antisemitism monitor.

The vote late Wednesday took mere seconds. “The ayes appear to have it,” Sen. Tammy Baldwin, the Wisconsin Democrat who was presiding over the session, said after...

In The News

US targets Iran missile program with sanctions after strikes on regional rivals

The United States on Wednesday announced sanctions against Iranian defense companies after a spate of ballistic missile attacks on targets in Iraq, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates

The US and Iran’s neighbors blame Tehran for a March 13 strike on Erbil, Iraq, and for repeated missile strikes into Saudi Arabia and the UAE by...

In The News

‘Intifada until victory’: Pro-Palestinian demonstrators rally in New York

Several hundred pro-Palestinian protesters gathered in New York City on Wednesday to protest against Israel-linked organizations on “Land Day,” an annual Palestinian protest event.

The demonstrators gathered outside Grand Central Station in Manhattan, while a small group of pro-Israel counter-protesters assembled across the street, bearing...

In The News

Ahead of Passover, Homeland Security steps up effort to protect Jewish facilities and congregants

Colleyville. Pittsburgh. Poway.

Too many Jewish institutions are wondering if they’ll be next. Too many in Brooklyn, N.Y., and elsewhere already deal with the reality of anti-Semitic attacks that keep on coming.

The federal government says it stands ready to help ahead of the holiday season.

Marcus Coleman, director of the U.S. Department...

In The News

Operation ‘Wave Breaker:’ IDF, security forces aim to stem rising tide of terrorism

The joint operation by Israeli security forces to stem the rising tide of terrorist attacks has been dubbed 'Wave Breaker' hours after IDF troops exchanged gunfire with terrorists in Jenin and a stabbing attack occurred on a bus in Gush Etzion on Thursday.

One IDF soldier was lightly injured and three Palestinian gunmen were reported killed in...

In The News

One wounded in stabbing near Efrat; Terrorist neutralized

One person was wounded on Thursday morning in a stabbing attack on a bus on Route 60 near Neve Daniel in Judea and Samaria.

The terrorist was shot and killed by another passenger, according to reports from the scene.

The assailant, who was armed with a screwdriver, began attacking passengers as the bus passed the town of Elazar. The bus...

In The News

Palestinian terrorist kills five in Bnei Brak shooting spree

Five people were killed by a Palestinian terrorist who opened fire on passersby in Bnei Brak on Tuesday night, marking the third deadly terror attack in Israel in eight days.

The gunman was killed by two police officers following a rampage just before 8 p.m. that saw him open fire on people out walking, riding bikes, or driving in their cars in...

In The News

Israeli Navy, US 5th Fleet begin largest ever joint drill

The Israeli Navy this week is participating in its largest ever joint maritime exercise with the US Fifth Fleet, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) announced on Tuesday.
The 10-day drill, dubbed "Intrinsic Defender," began on Sunday with the activities taking place simultaneously in the waters of the Mediterranean and Red seas.
A total of 300...

In The News

18 reported bomb threats directed at US JCCs and synagogues in March

Since the beginning of March, there have been at least 18 reported bomb threats directed at Jewish Community Centers (JCCs) and synagogues in nine states, according to a report by the Secure Community Network (SCN). In a press release by the Jewish Security organization in the US, it said that it “is actively working with community leaders and law...

In The News

ISIS-inspired terrorists creating intelligence challenges in Israel

ISIS-inspired terrorists create significant challenges for intelligence agencies that make them harder to pick up, and Israeli security forces need to adopt new patterns of operation following back-to-back terror attacks, a former defense official has told JNS.

Col. (res.) David Hacham, a former Arab-affairs adviser to seven Israeli defense...

In The News

Bennett: ‘We are dealing with a new wave of terrorism’

The Israeli military has raised its level of alert and is preparing for a variety of violent scenarios and escalations following a spate of deadly attacks that claimed the lives of 11 Israeli in one week.

"The IDF is prepared for a variety of scenarios and will act to the extent necessary to maintain the routine of the lives of the residents of...

Issues

Senate committee advances Deborah Lipstadt as antisemitism monitor

Two Republicans joined the Democrats on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee in approving Holocaust scholar Deborah Lipstadt to be the State Department’s next antisemitism monitor on Tuesday, paving the way for her likely confirmation by the full Senate.

Marco Rubio of Florida and Mitt Romney of Utah joined the Democratic majority in a vote,...

Issues

Gantz meets Jordanian king in Amman to discuss tensions amid Ramadan

Defense Minister Benny Gantz met with Jordanian King Abdullah II in Amman on Tuesday to discuss concerns of spiraling violence amid the upcoming holy month of Ramadan, Gantz’s office said.

It was the third meeting between Abdullah and Gantz, with the first happening secretly in February 2021, and a second taking place publicly in January this...

Issues

‘A Privilege to Help in Their Hour of Need’: Israel Welcomes 10,000th Immigrant Since Russian Invasion of Ukraine

Sasha Zlobjn from the Ukrainian city of Kharkiv became the 10,000th refugee to immigrate to Israel since the start of the Russian invasion last month, Israel’s Immigration and Absorption Ministry announced on Monday.

“I fled from Kharkiv with my grandmother and grandfather, but unfortunately my parents were left behind,” Zlobjn recounted upon...

Issues

68 Senators urge Blinken to help end UN inquiry on Israeli-Palestinian conflict

A large bipartisan group of 68 Senators sent a letter to US Secretary of State, Antony Blinken, urging him to lead a multinational effort in the UN Human Rights Council and in the UN to end the permanent Commission of Inquiry (COI) on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Senators Ben Cardin (D-MD) and Rob Portman (R-OH) spearheaded the letter.
...

Issues

UAE, US, Israel launch religious coexistence and tolerance team

The US, United Arab Emirates and Israel launched a joint working team that will promote religious coexistence and tolerance on Tuesday, just a day after the Abraham Accords states met at the Negev Summit in Israel.

The team is led by Intelligence Minister Elazar Stern, Emirati Health Minister Abdul Rahman Mohammed Al Owais and US Under...

Issues

12 ISIS supporters arrested in Arab towns after Hadera attack

12 ISIS supporters and members were arrested in the Wadi Ara area of northern Israel and in Nazareth on Monday night, after two terrorist attacks were carried out by ISIS-affiliated terrorists in Hadera and Beersheba in the past week.

Items which may serve as evidence of the suspects' affiliation with ISIS were seized by Border Police, Israel...

Issues

‘Paradigm-shaping’ Negev Summit participants search for ‘constructive way’ to confront Iran

A bright sun shone over the oasis-like Kedma resort hotel in Israel’s southern Negev Desert during what was dubbed the Negev Summit, hosted by Israeli Foreign Minister Yair Lapid and featuring U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken and four Arab foreign ministers.

So successful was the summit that the ministers decided to make it a recurring...

Issues

US envoy to Iran says he ‘can’t be confident’ a new nuclear deal is ‘imminent’

U.S. special envoy to Iran Robert Malley appeared skeptical on Sunday about the prospects of a new nuclear deal being reached any time soon.
"I can’t be confident it’s imminent," Malley said at the Doha Forum in Qatar. "It’s not just around the corner and it’s not inevitable."
The remarks stood in contrast to Sayyid Kamal Kharrazi, a foreign...

In The News

Iowa governor signs antisemitism, Israel boycott bills

Iowa’s governor signed bills into law this week codifying a definition of antisemitism for the state and restricting state business with companies that boycott Israel.

One of the two bills signed by Republican Kim Reynolds on Wednesday calls for the state to adopt the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance’s definition of antisemitism in...