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

IDF Soldier Killed by Rock Thrown at His Head During West Bank Arrest Raid

An Israeli soldier was killed in the northern West Bank in the predawn hours of Tuesday morning, after being struck in the head by a large rock during an arrest raid, the Israel Defense Forces said.

The soldier, Sgt. First Class Amit Ben-Ygal, was a member of the Golani Reconnaissance Battalion, which was carrying out a series of four arrests...

Antisemitism

Ukrainian Police Official Requests List of Jews in Western City of Kolomyya

A Ukrainian Jewish group accused the nation’s police force of “open anti-Semitism” after a high-ranking police official requested a list of all Jews in the western city of Kolomyya as part of an inquiry into organized crime.

The official request to the head of Kolomyya’s Jewish community is dated February 18, 2020, according to a photograph of...

Jerusalem

Rare Coin Dating Nearly 2,000 Years, Discovered in Jerusalem’s Old City

Israel's Antiquities Authority (IAA) has presented a rare coin from the Bar Kokhba Revolt period (132-135 CE), which was discovered during an archaeological excavation in Jerusalem's Old City.
The IAA frequently reveals interesting finds from its sites from around the country ahead of Jewish holidays and festivals - and this is no different, the...

Iran

19 Iranians Killed, 15 Injured After Navy Vessel Hit by Friendly Fire

Some 19 Iranians have been killed and 15 others injured after an Iranian Navy vessel was reportedly hit by friendly fire during a naval exercise in the waters off of the Jask Port in the Gulf of Oman on Sunday.

The IRGC-affiliated Tasnim News Agency reported that 19 soldiers were killed and 15 others wounded in an "accident" involving the Konarak...

Israel Defense Force (IDF)

Arab Muslim twins from East Jerusalem go from delinquents to Israeli soldiers

Only a few years ago, Fares and Firas Muhammad, Muslim Arab twins from East Jerusalem, had juvenile rap sheets and seemed destined for a life of petty crime and delinquency.

Today both are star members of the Israel Defense Forces’ storied Golani Brigade, and Fares is now training to become a squad commander.
The two brothers’ incredible story...

Hamas

Hamas MP Calls for Murder of Jews, Says Israeli Annexation Violates Allah’s Will

Hamas MP Yunis al-Astal said in a parliament session last week that Israeli annexation of parts of Judea and Samaria would constitute a crime against the will of Allah, and called for the parliament to recommend the murder of Jews “wherever they may be found.”

In the May 6 session, which aired on Hamas’ Al-Aqsa TV, al-Astal said that the Jews...

Antisemitism

Israeli Ambassador Slams ‘New York Times’ for ‘Libel’ Against the Jewish State

Israeli Ambassador to the United States Ron Dermer leveled scathing criticism at The New York Times on Friday over an article pointing out that the Israel Defense Forces’ research and development efforts, which have proven crucial in Israel’s battle against the coronavirus, are predominately dedicated to devising ways to counter the Jewish state’s...

Antisemitism

Upcoming Report to Show 13% Rise in Antisemitic Crimes in Germany Over Past Year

Germany saw a 13% rise in antisemitic crimes over the past year, soon-to-be-published police data reveals.

German newspaper Welt am Sonntag reported on Sunday that the country’s Federal Criminal Police Office is set to release data next week that shows 2,000 antisemitic crimes were committed over the past year, along with a sharp rise in other...

Medical Advancement

Three Gulf States Reach Out to Israel for Help Battling COVID-19 Pandemic

Three states in the Arab Gulf are actively engaged in cooperation with Israel’s health system, with one having recently asked for help installing an advanced telemedicine system to confront the coronavirus pandemic, a senior official at one of the country’s leading hospitals said Sunday.

Top representatives from Bahrain and the United Arab...

Iran

Israeli Firm Uncovers Iran-Linked Attempt to Hack US Virus Drugmaker Gilead

An Israeli cybersecurity firm last week uncovered an attempt by Iran-linked hackers to breach US drug company Gilead Sciences, which is racing to roll out a treatment for COVID-19.

It was unclear whether the hacking attempt was successful, according to the Reuters news agency, which first reported the incident on Friday.

The web domains and...

Israeli Technology

Israel to Launch ‘Cyber Defense Shield’ for Health Sector

Israel is preparing to inaugurate a “cyber defense shield” for the country’s healthcare sector amid a spike in attacks since the beginning of the global COVID-19 epidemic.

Speaking to participants in an online conference hosted by the Cybertech B2B networking platform on Thursday, an Israeli Health Ministry official revealed that the new system −...

Holocaust

Sen. Lee Holding Up Widely Supported Holocaust Education Bill

Sen. Mike Lee (R., Utah) has placed a hold on legislation meant to expand Holocaust education programs, angering supporters in the pro-Israel community who say the bill was on track to be approved before hitting this roadblock.

The legislation, which was set for approval amid commemorations of May's Jewish American Heritage Month, would improve...

Iran

Danon Calls on International Leaders to ‘Speak Out’ Against Iranian Aggression

Israeli Ambassador to the United Nations Danny Danon was steadfast on Wednesday about the Jewish state’s support for renewing the U.N. arms embargo on Iran.

“Our position is very clear: We support the call of the U.S. to renew the embargo and not to allow Iran to be able to spread more terror in the region,” Danon said during a virtual briefing...

Iran

Iran Regime Pledges Annual ‘Quds Day’ Urging Israel’s Destruction Will Go Ahead, Despite Coronavirus

The Iranian regime’s annual day of rallies and demonstrations calling for the destruction of the State of Israel will go ahead this year despite the coronavirus pandemic.

According to Press TV — the Iranian regime’s English-language propaganda arm — “pro-Palestinian groups in London and elsewhere across Britain plan to replace street rallies with...

Incitement

Border Police Vehicle Burnt Down by Firebombs Near Jerusalem

A Border Police vehicle burnt down after being attacked with firebombs near the Palestinian city of Abu Dis, east of Jerusalem, the Police Spokesperson's Unit reported Friday morning.

According to police, the forces were attacked by locals during an operation near the West Bank Separation Fence. No casualties were reported by law enforcement....

Holocaust

Celebrities Raise Funds for Meals to Holocaust Survivors Homebound in New York

A group of celebrities helped fundraise on Tuesday to deliver meals for Holocaust survivors living in New York City who cannot leave their home amid the coronavirus pandemic.

The group included New England Patriots wide receiver Julian Edelman; actor and singer Skylar Astin; NBA Hall of Famer Isiah Thomas; and actress Dolores Catania.

They...

Iran

Report: Iran behind recent cyberattack on Israel’s water supply

Iran is the suspected culprit behind last month's cyberattack on several facilities operated by Israel's Water Authority, Fox News reported Thursday, citing a source among US officials.
According to the channel, Iranian hackers routed the attack through servers located in the United States.
It cited a senior official with the Energy Department as...

In The News

Coronavirus: No New deaths, Recovered Patients Double Active Cases

No new coronavirus-related death was registered in Israel in the past 24 hours and the number of recovered patients (10,737) has doubled the figure of active cases (5,370), the Health Ministry announced on Thursday morning.

The number of hospitalized patients currently stands at 245, 83 of whom are in serious condition, including 69 intubated. A...

Jerusalem

‘Lion of Judah’ Donated by Evangelical Leaders Finds a Home in Jerusalem

Located in the heart of Jerusalem and with a unique view of the Old City walls, Bloomfield Garden is one of the largest green areas in the city, offering vast lawns, secluded paths and play areas, as well as several monuments and art installations, including the Fountain of the Lions donated by German Chancellor Helmut Kohl in 1989. On Tuesday,...

US-Israel Relationship

Pompeo Scheduled to Visit Israel, Meet Heads of New Coalition Government

U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo is expected to visit Israel next week, according to media reports on Wednesday.

The scheduled 24-hour visit would be the first by a senior foreign official since Israel closed its borders amid the coronavirus pandemic.

The reason for Pompeo’s upcoming visit is unclear, but would come as Israel is about to...