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.

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...

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...