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 schools, synagogues and congregations affected by fires raging in California

(October 28, 2019 / JNS) Up and down the state of California, synagogues, Hebrew schools and Jewish residents are dealing with effects of wildfires that have consumed tens of thousands of acres in recent days, from evacuations to school closures to days with no electricity as authorities try to limit the fire damage and danger.

In the Northern...

US-Israel Relationship

Steelers hold moment of silence for Pittsburgh synagogue shooting victims

PITTSBURGH – Steelers fans packed into the lots surrounding Heinz Field, tailgated – tossing footballs back and forth, consuming savory foods and cold beers – and then filed into the stadium, clad in black and gold, just like they would any other day.

They waved their terrible towels as players took the field during pregame introductions. A few...

Holocaust

Illinois collegian confronts Holocaust survivor, compares Shoah to Palestinian life

(October 29, 2019 / JNS) A Palestinian student at the Catholic Benedictine University, about 30 miles west of Chicago, called on a Holocaust survivor to compare the murder of 6 million Jews to Israel’s alleged treatment of the Palestinians, followed by her walking out on his speech after he declined to do so.

After a speech last week by visiting...

Antisemitism

Jewish community marks first anniversary of deadliest anti-Semitic attack in US history

Jewish organizations commemorate the 11 lives that were lost in Pittsburgh's Tree of Life synagogue

A year after the deadly shooting at Pittsburgh's Tree of Life synagogue, the Jewish community marked on Sunday the incident by commemorating the 11 lives that were lost.

Throughout the day, Jewish organizations conducted community service events,...

Antisemitism

Israeli president to host major anti-Semitism conference

(October 28, 2019 / Israel Hayom) Israeli President Reuven Rivlin is scheduled to host a major conference on anti-Semitism next week at the President’s Residence in Jerusalem. Panelists will include Katharina von Schnurbein of the European Union; Elan Carr from the United States; Felix Klein of Germany; Lord Erik Pickles of Great Britain; and...

Syria

Trump confirms elimination of ISIS leader in Syria by US forces

(October 28, 2019 / JNS) U.S. President Donald Trump confirmed the death of Islamic State leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi on Sunday, saying he had “died like a dog.”

During a nationally televised address from the White House, Trump noted that U.S. forces had contacted Moscow for approval to fly over Russian-controlled areas to execute the raid in...

US-Israel Relationship

US marks 25 years of peace treaty between Jordan and Israel

The United States marked the 25th anniversary of the peace treaty between Israel and Jordan.

“Today marks the twenty-fifth anniversary of the signing of the Treaty of Peace between the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan and the State of Israel, an agreement that began a tradition of peaceful and respectful cooperation that continues today,” read the...

Hamas

Global Jewish leaders stand in solidarity to honor the memories of 11 killed in Pittsburgh

 

(October 27, 2019 / JNS) At Sunday’s opening of the Jewish Agency’s board of governors meeting from Oct. 27-29 in Jerusalem, Jewish leaders from around the world stood side by side to memorialize the first anniversary of the attack on the Tree of Life*Or L’Simcha Synagogue in Pittsburg that claimed 11 Jewish lives and injured six others.
...

Iran

US Navy Secretary assures: ‘We’re completely defensible’ against Iran

U.S. Navy Secretary Richard V. Spencer responded to questions at the Brookings Institution in Washington, D.C., about U.S. naval preparedness amid domestic and geopolitical challenges.

(October 24, 2019 / JNS) U.S. Navy Secretary Richard V. Spencer said on Wednesday that the U.S. Navy is “completely defensible” against the Iranian threat,...

Antisemitism

Authorities are investigating desecration of 300-year-old Jewish cemetery near London

The vandalism is believed to have taken place on Rosh Hashanah.

(October 24, 2019 / JNS) Authorities are investigating the desecration of a 300-year-old Jewish cemetery near London, reported the United Kingdom’s Jewish Chronicle.

Assailants reportedly used sledgehammers to shatter, upend and split headstones at the Chatham Memorial Synagogue...

Iran

Iran’s supreme leader: ‘We will never give up our resistance against America’

"Death to America! We are the conquerors of Jerusalem and the destroyers of Haifa! Death to Israel! on the path to conquer Palestine!" Iranian soldiers chant at IRGC officer’s academy ceremony.

(October 24, 2019 / MEMRI) Iran will never give up its resistance against America, Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said at a recent...

US-Israel Relationship

#ShowUpForShabbat: Philadelphia Jewish And City Leaders Urging Community Members To Show Up For Shabbat

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) — This weekend marks one year since the deadliest attack on Jews in American history. Eleven people were slaughtered over their faith as they worshipped at the Tree of Life synagogue in Pittsburgh. To mark the observance in Philadelphia, Jewish and city leaders are urging people to do one thing.

There is a rallying call from...

Israeli Society

Israel-Kazakhstan relations continue to expand and diversify under new president

The Central Asian country, former Soviet republic and Muslim-majority country has a history of strong connections with Israel and supports its local Jewish population.

(October 23, 2019 / JNS) Ties between Israel and Kazakhstan, a former Soviet republic, continue to be strong and are expanding under new President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, according...

US-Israel Relationship

WJC to honor Nikki Haley for calling out anti-Israel bias at UN

The World Jewish Congress will bestow its prestigious Theodor Herzl Award to former US Ambassador to the UN Nikki Haley, according to a statement from the organization released on Wednesday.

WJC President Ronald S. Lauder said Haley exemplified Washington's friendship with Israel, "relentlessly calling out the biases and double standards that...

Antisemitism

ADL: Pittsburgh synagogue massacre spawned rash of far-right plots against Jews

COLLEGE PARK, Maryland (AP) — At least 12 white supremacists have been arrested on allegations of plotting, threatening or carrying out anti-Semitic attacks in the US since the massacre at a Pittsburgh synagogue nearly one year ago, a Jewish civil rights group reported Sunday.

The Anti-Defamation League also counted at least 50 incidents in which...

Antisemitism

AJC Survey of American Jews on Antisemitism in America

 

On October 23, 2019, AJC released the results of its landmark survey of American Jewish opinion on antisemitism in America. The poll represents the largest and most comprehensive examination ever of American Jews’ experiences and perceptions of antisemitism.

This survey makes clear that American Jews view antisemitism as a significant...

Hamas

Hamas’ cat and mouse game over terrorist funding

Hamas is trying to thwart efforts to crack down on the funding it receives to sponsor terrorist activity by spreading the money around and using regular bank transactions to hide in plain sight, says an IDF intelligence officer who monitors terrorist funding in the West Bank.

"Most of the money transfers to Hamas are done physically through a...

Syria

Trump declares ‘permanent’ ceasefire in Syria, lifting US sanctions on Turkey

(October 23, 2019 / JNS) U.S. President Donald Trump announced on Wednesday that a “permanent” ceasefire in Syria has been reached, and that all U.S. sanctions enacted against Turkey will be lifted.

“I have, therefore, instructed the Secretary of the Treasury to lift all sanctions imposed October 14th in response to Turkey’s original offensive...

Iran

Int’l Judo Federation hits Iran with indefinite ban for pressuring fighter not to face Israeli rival

Iran has been banned indefinitely from international competition until it can give strong guarantees that its athletes will be allowed to face Israelis, the International Judo Federation (IJF) has said.

The IJF decision follows a protective suspension imposed on the Iran Judo Federation on Sept. 18 for putting pressure on one of its fighters to...

Israel Defense Force (IDF)

Abbas orders to rebuild home of soldier’s killer, razed by IDF for second time

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas on Thursday ordered to rebuild the house of a Palestinian convicted of killing an Israeli soldier, just hours after the killer's family home had been demolished by IDF forces for the second time within a year.

Staff Sgt. Ronen Lubarsky, 20, died from his wounds after Islam Yusuf Hamid, 33, dropped a marble slab...