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.

Event Recaps

October 17 – Night to Honor Israel

The 17th Annual Night to Honor Israel in the Quad Cites was spectacular!  It was the first CUFI in-person event since March. It, like so many events in 2020, was also virtual. Over 200 people gathered to hear great encouragement from State Director Tom McGovern, The Watchman's Erick Stakelbeck (via custom video), and the Quad City Jewish...

US-Israel Relationship

Senators Are Calling For A US-Israel Working Group, And It Could Save Lives

03/01/2021

Eyeing the growing military technology challenge from great power competitors, four members of the Senate Armed Services Committee sent a letter Feb. 24 to Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin, urging him to stand up a U.S.-Israel Operations-Technology Working Group, or OTWG. The working group authorized in the annual defense bill is...

Event Recaps

October 9 – Spanish Why Israel?

On Friday, October 9th, our CUFI Field Coordinator, Rev. Peter De Jesus, conducted a “Why Israel” Spanish virtual event. This event was hosted by one of our Latino Pastors Israel Tour Alumni, Pastor Jorge Laboy of Iglesia Mision La Cosecha in Orlando, Florida. This event was produced in-person at their church facility by him and five of his...

Event Recaps

October 7 – Bilingual Why Israel?

On Wednesday, October 7th, our CUFI Field Coordinator, Rev. Peter De Jesus, conducted a “Why Israel” bilingual virtual event. This event was hosted by one of our Latino Pastors Israel Tour Alumni, Pastor Danny Garza of Abundant Life Church in Harlingen, Texas. This event was attended in-person by approximately 80 of his congregants, and it was...

Event Recaps

October 6 – Spanish Why Israel?

On Tuesday, October 6th, our CUFI Field Coordinator, Rev. Peter De Jesus, conducted a “Why Israel” Spanish virtual event. This event was hosted by one of our CUFI Congressional Liaison’s and Latino Pastors Israel Tour Alumni, Pastor Heber Paredes of Iglesia Roca La Eternidad A/D in Landover Hills, Maryland. This event was attended in-person by...

Event Recaps

October 5 – Never Again with Irving Roth

Pastor Craig Riportella travelled on his first trip to Israel with CUFI and is now our Maine State Director and Congressional Liason. Along with his private school, Temple Academy, (in the 20% of largest private schools in Maine) he hosted the LIVE Webinar with Irving Roth and made it mandatory for all of the Junior and Senior class students from...

Event Recaps

October 1 – City of David Virtual Tour

Over 150 participated in a faith fanning reveal of the most recent archeological discovery at the City of David. The unearthing of Phoenician column caps in King David’s palace fulfill the description in 2 Samuel 5, and as City of David Director of International Affairs Ze’ev Orenstein reminded us, in Israel matters of faith are matters of fact.

Antisemitism

Police Arrest Oklahoma Teens For Vandalizing Children’s Holocaust Memorial

02/26/2021

Two teens were arrested after they were caught on camera Wednesday morning toppling memorials dedicated to children killed during the Holocaust.

The five, custom-made metal sculptures were housed on the grounds of the Sherwin Miller Museum of Jewish Art in Tulsa, Okla. Each statue is filled with 2,000 rocks and has the names of...

In The News

Iran Rejects Offer For Informal Nuclear Talks With US, Demands Sanctions Relief

02/28/2021

Iran on Sunday rebuffed an offer from the European Union to hold informal direct talks with the EU and US on Tehran’s nuclear program. US President Joe Biden’s administration had accepted in principle.

“Considering the recent positions and actions of the United States and the three European countries, does not consider the time...

In The News

Israel And Bahrain Sign Historic Agreement Allowing Direct Mail Exchange

03/01/2021
"We welcome the continued cooperation between postal authorities around the world"

Israel and Bahrain have signed an agreement that will allow the Israel Postal Service to send and receive packages and letters from Bahrain beginning from Monday.
The two countries signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) in telecommunications...

In The News

First-Ever UAE Ambassador To Israel Arrives

03/01/2021

The first Ambassador of the United Arab Emirates to Israel, Muhammad Mahmoud Al Khaja, arrived in Jerusalem on Monday, where he met with Foreign Minister Gabi Ashkenazi. 

Ashkenazi said it was “another historic day in the Middle East and a great step towards strengthening peace between our countries and nations.”

“We have a...

Iran

Israel Strikes Iranian Targets In Syria, Responds To Ship Attack – Report

03/01/2021

Israel reportedly bombed Iranian targets near Damascus in Syria late Sunday night leading to speculation that the airstrikes were in response to what is believed to be an Iranian attack on an Israeli-owned ship in the Gulf of Oman last Thursday.   

The Syrian army said on Sunday evening that an Israeli airstrike targeted parts of...

In The News

Report: Israel To Retaliate Following Iranian-Blamed Attack In Gulf Of Oman

02/28/2021
Assault against Israeli-owned vessel 'crossed the red line,' senior officials say

Israel has no choice but to react in response to the recent attack against an Israeli-owned vessel, a senior security official told Israel’s public broadcaster Kan on Sunday, with Iran as the estimated guilty party.
The Israeli government deems the...

In The News

UAE Ambassador Set To Arrive In Israel Tomorrow

02/28/2021
Muhammad Mahmoud Al Khaja, the United Arab Emirates’ first ambassador to Israel, is expected to arrive here on Monday.

He will have to take a coronavirus test upon arrival and get a negative result before presenting his charter letter to the Foreign Ministry and his credentials to President Reuven Rivlin.

Al Khaja has been...

In The News

Israeli Defense Minister: Iran Main Suspect In Attack On Israeli-Owned Ship In Gulf Of Oman

02/27/2021

Iran is the main suspect behind the attack overnight Thursday on an Israeli-owned cargo vessel that was damaged by a mysterious explosion in the Gulf of Oman, Defense Minister Benny Gantz said on Saturday. 

“We will need to keep investigating, but we can say for sure that Iran is attempting to damage Israeli infrastructure and to...

In The News

Israeli-Owned Ship Sailing Through Gulf Of Oman Hit By Explosion

02/26/2021
The site of the blast saw a series of explosions in 2019 that the US Navy blamed on Iran

An explosion struck an Israeli-owned cargo ship sailing through the Gulf of Oman on Friday, an incident renewing concerns about ship security amid escalating tensions between the US and Iran.
Investigations are ongoing. Vessel and crew are...

In The News

An Israeli Soldier Gives His All For Senior Citizens

02/25/2021

“Between 11th and 12th grade, after a tough fencing session, I saw a television report about all these elderly people and Holocaust survivors and their difficulties and loneliness. It really shocked me and I was really, really sad and depressed for a couple of days,” recounts Yakov Pizenberg. “I told myself that being sad won’t help...

In The News

Israel In Talks To Establish Four-Nation Defense Alliance With Saudi Arabia, UAE, And Bahrain

02/25/2021

Jerusalem is currently in talks with the kingdoms of Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, and the United Arab Emirates on establishing a four-nation defense alliance, according to an exclusive i24 News report.

While Jerusalem does not have official diplomatic relations with Riyadh, foreign media report that the two countries have long-standing...

Hezbollah

IDF Gets Ready For Hezbollah Along The Israeli-Lebanese Border

02/25/2021

The IDF has reorganized the way it responds to alerts and deploys troops along the border with Lebanon amid growing concern of a possible confrontation with Hezbollah, senior officers told The Jerusalem Post.

The IDF changes — led by the 91st Galilee Division – were done in recent months, in which the unit carried out significant...

Syria

Amid Syria Strikes, CENTCOM Air Force Chief Visits Israel

02/25/2021

Amid reports of an American airstrike against Iranian targets in eastern Syria, Ninth Air Force (Air Forces Central) Commander, Lt.-Gen. Gregory M. Guillot completed his first visit to Israel on Friday.

Guillot was hosted by his Israeli counterpart, Commanding Officer of the Israeli Air Force, Maj.-Gen. Amikam Norkin.

An IDF...