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.

Hamas

Jewish, pro-Israel community react to national security pick

(September 18, 2019 / JNS) The Jewish and pro-Israel community immediately reacted to the selection of Robert O’Brien as U.S. President Donald Trump’s fourth national security advisor, replacing John Bolton, who was ousted on Sept. 10.

“We congratulate Mr. O’Brien on his appointment, and we look forward to working with him to further strengthen...

Iran

Trump announces he will ‘substantially’ increase sanctions on Iran

(September 18, 2019 / JNS) U.S. President Donald Trump announced on Wednesday that he has ordered U.S. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin to “substantially increase” sanctions on Iran.

“I have just instructed the Secretary of the Treasury to substantially increase Sanctions on the country of Iran!” tweeted the president, without specifying what or...

Terrorism

Rockets fired at Israel fall in Gaza, injuring 7

(September 19, 2019 / JNS) Seven people were injured in the Gaza Strip on Wednesday when three rockets fired at Israel from the coastal territory landed in the Hamas-controlled enclave.

According to eyewitnesses, two of the rockets exploded near a house in Rafah city, while third fell in open territory near the Gaza-Israel border fence.

The Gaza...

Archeology

ISRAELI RESEARCHERS IDENTIFY BIBLICAL KINGDOM OF EDOM

The biblical kingdom of Edom has always been a significant puzzle for biblical archaeology. Although evidence is supplied in the Bible, the archaeological record has always had trouble interpreting the text, which said that it existed as a kingdom long before the kings of Israel.

But research has uncovered the untold story of a thriving and...

US-Israel Relationship

Saudi Arabia joins US-led maritime coalition after attack on its oil production

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Saudi Arabia said Wednesday it joined a US-led coalition to secure the Mideast’s waterways amid threats from Iran after an attack targeting its crucial oil industry.

The kingdom’s decision to enter the International Maritime Security Construct came ahead of a planned visit by US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo....

Iran

Iran’s Rouhani says Yemenis attacked Saudi oil sites as ‘warning’

Iran’s President Hassan Rouhani said Wednesday that Yemenis targeted Saudi oil installations as a “warning” about a possible wider war in response to the kingdom’s US-backed intervention in their conflict-ravaged country.

“The Yemenis… haven’t hit a hospital, they haven’t hit a school, they haven’t hit Sanaa bazaar. They just hit an industrial...

Israel Defense Force (IDF)

Israel ‘well-prepared’ for any spill-over from attack on Saudi oil plant, PM says

Israel is prepared for the possibility it might be drawn into any U.S.-Iranian confrontation over a strike on a Saudi oil plant, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Monday.

"I am taking care of our security on a 360 degree basis, and I can tell you that we are well-prepared," Netanyahu, who hopes for reelection in a national vote on...

Israel Defense Force (IDF)

Palestinian woman shot after pulling knife on guards at checkpoint

(September 18, 2019 / JNS) A Palestinian woman was shot dead by an Israeli guard when she threatened soldiers with a knife at the Qalandia checkpoint outside Jerusalem early Wednesday morning.

Entering a car lane on foot, the woman, who was in her 50s, aroused the suspicion of the guards, who called out to her to stop.

According to police, the...

Israeli Society

International Space Station makes rare visit to Holy Land’s skies

The International Space Station has been spotted over Israeli skies and will reappear for another 10 days.

The flyby took place overnight on Friday and Saturday, where a bright dot that astronomers confirmed was the ISS streaked across the Jerusalem night sky. It was seen over the Western Wall in Jerusalem's Old City.

Follow Israel Hayom on...

US-Israel Relationship

Pentagon chief: US preparing response to attack on Saudi oil facility

WASHINGTON — United States Defense Secretary Mike Esper said Monday that the US military is preparing a response to the attack on major Saudi Arabia oil facilities.

After briefing US President Donald Trump in the White House, Esper singled out Iran as undermining international order, without directly pinning blame on Tehran for the attack.

“The...

Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions (BDS)

American diplomats press lawmakers in Germany, Ireland to oppose BDS

(September 16, 2019 / JNS) U.S. diplomats pressed lawmakers and officials in Ireland and Germany to oppose the anti-Israel BDS movement, according to a U.S. State Department report delivered last week to Congress.

In Ireland, the diplomats interacted with top government officials and party leaders to “strongly urging them to drop their support”...

Iran

Iran’s supreme leader: There will be no talks with US at any level

Iran's supreme leader announced on Tuesday that "there will be no talks with the US at any level" – remarks apparently meant to end all speculation about a possible US-Iran meeting between the two countries' presidents at the UN later this month.

Iranian state TV quoted Ayatollah Ali Khamenei as saying this is the position of the entire...

Iran

The US should up the pressure to contain and confront Iran

Foreign policy circles in recent weeks have been abuzz with talk of a potential life line being extended to Iran in advance of, or during, the upcoming meeting of world leaders at the United Nations. The genesis of this discussion was French President Emanuel Macron’s unilateral decision to invite Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Zarif to the G7...

Antisemitism

Anti-Semitic graffiti found on 9/11 at University of Tennessee-Knoxville

(September 13, 2019 / JNS) Anti-Semitic graffiti was found on “The Rock,” an iconic structure at the University of Tennessee-Knoxville.

The words “Jews did 9-11” and “Google: Dancing Israelis” were found etched on “The Rock” on Wednesday, the 18th anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001 terror attacks.

“Google: Dancing Israelis” refers to the...

Antisemitism

HAND-DRAWN SWASTIKA FOUND IN DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY HEADQUARTERS

A hand-drawn swastika was found inside the Washington D.C. headquarters of the Department of Homeland Security.

The Nazi symbol was discovered on the building’s third floor on Friday. CNN first reported the incident.

Staff members were informed of the incident in an email from Brian Murphy, principal deputy undersecretary for the Office of...

Israeli Technology

Israeli companies, investors meet in New York for first-ever ‘Cannabis Investment Symposium’

(September 15, 2019 / JNS) About 150 entrepreneurs and investors gathered in New York City last week to learn about Israel’s innovative medical cannabis industry at the first-ever “Cannabis Investment Symposium.”

“We are thrilled to introduce the best Israeli cannabis entrepreneurs and their companies to New York’s vibrant investment community...

Antisemitism

Anti-Semitism envoy reveals new US ‘inter-agency process’ to tackle growing Jew-hatred

(September 13, 2019 / JNS) Amid growing concerns over global anti-Semitism, a panel of experts convened at Congregation Kehilath Jeshurun on New York’s Upper East Side to discuss the “weaponization of anti-Semitism” and ways to combat it.

At the event, which was hosted by the Bnai Zion Foundation, panelists began by discussed the sources of...

Iran

Iran fired cruise missiles in attack on Saudi oil facility: Senior US official

The attack on the Saudi state-owned oil company Aramco also included more than 20 drones, the official said.

Iran has denied responsibility for the attack, accusing Pompeo of "max deceit," as the country's Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif tweeted Saturday.

In a Sunday evening tweet, Trump did not share the definitive accusation against...

Israeli Society

From green to black: Incendiary balloons leave Israeli farmers with heavy hearts

The hot summer days are especially tense for farmers living in the Israeli towns around the Gaza Strip. The cause of their troubles: incendiary balloons.

These devices, launched from Gaza, have been drifting over the border since the situation escalated almost two years ago.

These airborne incendiary devices often land on farmers’ fields, which...

Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions (BDS)

LA synagogue vandalized with ‘Free Palestine’ graffiti on 9/11 anniversary

(September 12, 2019 / JNS) A synagogue in the Fairfax District of Los Angeles was spray-painted with anti-Semitic graffiti on early Wednesday, which marked the 18th anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001 terror attacks.

Rabbi Yonah Bookstein of the Babe Sale Congregation posted on Twitter an image of the graffiti, which read “FREE PALESTINE.” He wrote...