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

Israel pounds Hamas targets in Gaza in response to rocket barrage

(November 3, 2019 / JNS) Israeli fighter jets struck Hamas targets in the Gaza Strip early Saturday after Palestinian terrorists fired a barrage of rockets at Israel from the coastal enclave.

The Israeli strikes targeted training compounds, weapons manufacturing and storage sites, and underground infrastructure, according to the Israel Defense...

Holocaust

Holocaust survivors reunite with rescuer at Yad Vashem

There was not a dry eye in sight as siblings Sarah Yanai and Yossi Mor embraced the woman who saved their lives in Greece during the Holocaust.

On Sunday, Melpomeni Dina (née Gianopoulou) reunited with Yanai and Mor (whose family name had been Mordechai) in an emotional meeting when they introduced their rescuer, 92-year-old Dina, to almost 40...

Iran

Netanyahu: Arab countries now see Israel as an ‘indispensable ally’ against Iran

(November 4, 2019 / Israel Hayom) The Arab world’s perception of Israel is undergoing a seismic shift, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Sunday.

Addressing a 200-strong crowd in Jerusalem at the kick-off event of the Christian Media Summit and inauguration of the Friends of Zion Museum’s new media center, Netanyahu said Israel has...

US-Israel Relationship

Israel, U.S. to push for UNRWA oversight when mandate is renewed

Israel and the United States are heading a diplomatic effort to increase oversight of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) when its mandate to service Palestinian refugees is renewed in December, according to Israel’s Mission to the UN.

The renewal, which occurs every three years, is typically a fairly standard procedure for the...

Israel Defense Force (IDF)

Gaza rocket fired at southern Israel, drawing IDF retaliation

Incoming rocket sirens sounded Thursday evening in southern Israeli communities, with the military confirming that one rocket had been launched from the Gaza Strip by Palestinian terrorists.

Reports said the rocket landed in an open field. There were no reports of injuries or damage.

The Iron Dome air defense system was activated and an...

Iran

US extends nuclear waivers, puts new sanctions on Iran

WASHINGTON — The Trump administration is keeping alive one of the last remaining components of the 2015 Iran nuclear deal by extending sanctions waivers that allow foreign companies to work with Iran’s civilian nuclear program without US penalties.

The waivers had been due to expire Tuesday but were extended by Secretary of State Mike Pompeo for...

Antisemitism

Jewish man, 70, injured in anti-Semitic attack in Berlin

(October 31, 2019 / JNS) A 70-year-old Jewish man was assaulted on Tuesday in Berlin’s neighborhood of Pankow, the local police department said.

The elderly man was walking outside when an unknown assailant insulted him with anti-Semitic language, according to The Jerusalem Post.

While he tried to defend himself verbally, the assailant punched...

Antisemitism

Congress Must Finally Act Against Anti-Semitism

Two years ago, we were at a point where most believed America had reached a peak in anti-Semitism and hostilities toward Jews. Students were regularly being harassed and even attacked at state universities and small private colleges alike. Being identified as Jewish or even pro-Israel became fraught with risk. Some were sad. Others disgusted. But...

United Nations (UN)

Israel, US to push for tighter UN scrutiny of Palestinian refugee agency

(October 31, 2019 / Israel Hayom) The United States and Israel are joining forces to push for reform in the U.N. Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA), according to Israel’s mission to the U.N.

Next week, U.N. General Assembly committee is set to begin discussions on the renewal of UNRWA’s mandate in December....

Iran

Israeli embassies up security over Iran attack threat

(October 30, 2019 / JNS) Israeli embassies are reportedly increasing security due to growing fears of a possible Iranian terrorist attack on Israeli targets abroad.

The move comes amid increased tensions with Iran in the region and following its attack against Saudi Arabian oil facilities last month, Israeli public radio broadcaster Kan reported...

Hezbollah

Israel asks West to condition Lebanon aid on action against Hezbollah missiles

With the political crisis showing no sign of abating in Lebanon, Israeli officials said Wednesday they have asked partners in the international community to condition any aid to the country on efforts to get rid of advanced arms stationed there.

“In discreet talks with various capitals, we made it clear that any aid meant to guarantee the...

Israeli Society

Belgium names first ever Jewish, female prime minister

 

On Sunday, she replaced Charles Michel and will lead an interim government until a coalition is formed. Michel left for a European Union position after his cabinet broke up last year. Both belong to the center-left MR Party.

Wilmès’s mother is an Ashkenazi Jew who lost several relatives in the Holocaust.

The 44-year-old holds a degree in...

US-Israel Relationship

Israel hails US, Gulf states for sanctioning Iran Guards, Hezbollah

Foreign Minister Israel Katz on Wednesday applauded the US and six Gulf states for announcing sanctions on 25 entities associated with Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and Lebanon’s Hezbollah terror organization.

“I welcome the decision by the US and Gulf states to impose additional sanctions on Hezbollah and the Iranian Revolutionary...

Israel Defense Force (IDF)

Israeli forces thwart stabbing attack at Cave of the Patriarchs

The suspected female terrorist approached Border Police officers stationed at the holy site and attempted to stab one member before being shot; her condition is described as critical; there were no reported injuries among Israeli forces.

Israeli security thwarted a suspected terror attack at the Cave of the Patriarchs in the West Bank city of...

US-Israel Relationship

New partnership between U.S. Embassy and. neighborhood soccer league

This year, the U.S. Embassy of Jerusalem is giving support to the Hapoel Katamon Jerusalem neighborhood soccer league.

Hapoel Katamon's Neighborhood League project began 10 years ago in hopes of bringing children from different backgrounds together.

Now, the league has 51 teams from 25 different schools with more than 750 boys and girls and...

Israel Defense Force (IDF)

Israeli fighters down UAV over Gaza

(October 30, 2019 / Israel Hayom) Israeli fighter jets were scrambled late Tuesday afternoon to intercept an unauthorized Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) over the Gaza Strip, the IDF Spokesperson’s Unit reported.

The interception was ordered because the UAV was flying at the very unusual altitude of four kilometers (some 12,000 feet).

Tuesday’s...

Iran

Netanyahu: Iranian precision-guided missiles in Yemen can reach Israel

(October 29, 2019 / JNS) Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu accused Iran on Monday of deploying precision-guided missiles in Yemen for use against Israel, adding that Iran is already using Iraq, Syria and Lebanon for this purpose.

Speaking at a press conference following a meeting with U.S. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin, Netanyahu...

United Nations (UN)

Israeli elected to serve in top U.N. position

Natalia Nadal, a long-time United Nations employee, is the first Israeli to serve as the chief of enabling and outreach service at the UN.

Nadal had worked in the UN for 15 years before being elected to the role of overseeing the UN business intelligence operation. She will be in charge of improving relations between the UN and the various...

Iran

Mnuchin promises new US sanctions, part of ‘maximum pressure’ campaign on Iran

“We are not doing this to hurt the people of Iran; we are doing this so that Iran stops their bad activities and exporting terrorism, looking to create nuclear capabilities and missiles,” said U.S. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin.

(October 28, 2019 / JNS) U.S. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin, who met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin...

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...