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.

Talking Points

Airbnb Talking Points

In November of last year, the San Francisco-based Airbnb announced its intention to de-list Jewish-owned properties in the West Bank/Judea and Samaria from its service. In an attempt to justify this decision, Airbnb issued a statement in which they sought to claim the moral high ground and portray a nuanced approach to the issue. The crux of their...

US-Israel Relationship

In major shift, Trump says US should recognize Israel’s sovereignty over Golan

US President Donald Trump said Thursday that the time has come to “fully recognize” Israeli sovereignty over the Golan Heights, in another monumental shift in US Mideast policy by his administration.

“After 52 years it is time for the United States to fully recognize Israel’s Sovereignty over the Golan Heights, which is of critical strategic and...

US-Israel Relationship

After 55 Years, Trump Calls on America to Recognize Israel’s Right to the Golan Heights

On Thursday, President Donald Trump called on the United States to recognize Israel's sovereignty over the Golan Heights, a disputed area that the Jewish State has controlled since the Six-Day War in 1967. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Christian leaders rushed to praise Trump for the declaration.

"After 52 years it is time for the...

Iran

Syria, Russia and Iran condemn US recognition of Israeli sovereignty over Golan

Syria and its allies Russia and Iran on Friday condemned US President Donald Trump’s recognition of Israeli sovereignty over the Golan Heights, which the Jewish state captured from its northern neighbor in the 1967 Six Day War.

Quoting an unnamed foreign ministry official, Syria’s official SANA news agency slammed the decision as “irresponsible”...

United Nations (UN)

23 to 9, UN rights council adopts report accusing Israel of war crimes in Gaza

The United Nations Humans Rights Council voted Friday to adopt a report accusing Israel of crimes against humanity for its handling of violent protests on the border with Gaza Strip.

Twenty-three countries voted to in favor of the measure, with nine opposing it. Another 14 countries abstained, while one was absent.

The countries that voted...

US-Israel Relationship

Pompeo vows to pile economic, political pressure on Iran

Secretary of State Mike Pompeo told Fox News on Thursday that the United States would step up financial and political pressure on Iran's theocratic regime as it seeks to "extend its reach" across the Middle East.

"You've seen us now designate militias inside of Iraq ," Pompeo told "Fox News at Night" host Shannon Bream. "You've seen us designate...

US-Israel Relationship

Officials: US announcement on Golan Heights recognition could come next week

Israeli and US officials said they expect an announcement on US recognition of Israeli sovereignty over the Golan Heights could come as early as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s visit to Washington next week.
The officials spoke on condition of anonymity on Wednesday because the information had not yet been made public.
At a meeting Wednesday...

US-Israel Relationship

Thanks to Trump, diplomatic taboo around Western Wall comes tumbling down

On May 22, 2017, Donald Trump became the first sitting US president to visit the Western Wall. “Words fail to capture the experience,” he said a few hours later. “It will leave an impression on me forever.”
The historic visit took place several months before Trump formally recognized Jerusalem as Israel’s capital, and, following what was standard...

US-Israel Relationship

Pompeo to Rivlin: Israel has no better friend than the United States

President Reuven Rivlin met with US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo while he visited the country.

At the beginning of the meeting, Rivlin told Pompeo that he is "a great friend of Israel and we value your strong support very much."

"The United States is Israel’s most important strategic ally and we deeply appreciate what you do for the security...

US-Israel Relationship

Trump to host Israel’s Netanyahu March 25-26: White House

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. President Donald Trump will host Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the White House next Monday and Tuesday, the White House said, reaffirming the two leaders’ close ties.

The announcement came shortly after Secretary of State Mike Pompeo landed in Tel Aviv on Wednesday and planned to deliver remarks...

Terrorism

Ariel terrorist killed by IDF forces after fire exchange

The IDF has killed the Palestinian terrorist who carried out the shooting spree near the West Bank city of Ariel on Sunday, killing two Israelis and severely injuring one.

Late Tuesday night, the IDF closed in on Omar Abu Lila, 19, in the Palestinian village of Abwain, near Ramallah.

Abu Lila shot at IDF soldiers during his attempted arrest....

Hamas

Hamas quashes Gaza demonstrations, but protest persists

Gaza has seen regular protests along the Israeli border for the past year, but new demonstrations in recent days have been much less to the liking of the Strip’s rulers, Hamas.

Over the course of several days beginning last week, hundreds of Palestinians gathered in multiple locations in protests against rising prices and in opposition to the...

Iran

U.S. says Iran missile program destabilizing Middle East

GENEVA, March 19 - A senior US arms control official said on Tuesday that Iran's missile program is destabilizing the Middle East and raising the risk of a "regional arms race" through the provision of such weapons to armed groups in Lebanon and Yemen.

US President Donald Trump said when he quit a landmark 2015 deal that lifted international...

US-Israel Relationship

David’s Sling missile defense system passes key trial, ministry says

Israel’s midrange missile interceptor, David’s Sling, managed to thwart a series of threats, passing a key test on its way to becoming operational, the Defense Ministry said Tuesday.

The ministry said the aerial defense system passed a drill “simulating future threats that the system may face in a confrontation,” the ministry said in a statement....

Terrorism

Two terrorists killed when IDF vehicle strikes their car

The military says several explosive devices were hurled at soldiers securing Jewish worshippers at the biblical tomb in the city of Nablus. Troops opened fire in retaliation and killed two of the assailants.

The Palestinian Health Ministry identified them as 21-year-old Raed Hamadan and 20-year-old Zeid Nouri.

21-year-old Raed Hamadan and...

Terrorism

Father of 12 succumbs to injuries from Sunday terror attack

Rabbi Achiad Ettinger died of his injuries Monday, a day after being shot by a Palestinian terrorist during an attack in the northern West Bank, a family spokesperson said.

Ettinger, 47, was a father of 12 from the settlement of Eli. Doctors had been working to save his life since the attack near Ariel Sunday morning in which a soldier, Gal...

Terrorism

Security forces say stabbing attack foiled in Hebron

Border Police officers arrested a Palestinian man Monday at the Tomb of the Patriarchs in Hebron on suspicion of planning a stabbing attack, as Israel remained on edge following a deadly shooting and knifing the previous day.

The suspect, in his 20s and from the Palestinian town of as-Samu, was found to be carrying a knife, and during questioning...

United Nations (UN)

UNHRC to call for Israeli arrests, settlement boycott

The UN Human Rights Council is expected to call for the arrest of IDF soldiers responsible for Gaza deaths at border and for a boycott of West Bank settlements, when it gathers in Geneva on Monday for the last week of its 40th session.

The day-long meeting of the 47-member council will involve the reading of seven reports on alleged Israeli human...

Iran

Rouhani urges Iranians to ‘put all your curses on Zionists, US’

TEHRAN, Iran — Iran’s president urged Iranians Monday to put a curse on the United States, Israel and Saudi Arabia — blaming the US and its allies for his country’s ailing economy.

Monday’s televised remarks by Hassan Rouhani were meant to deflect criticism of his administration’s performance amid a spiraling economy after the Trump...

Hamas

Hamas nixes Friday’s Gaza border protest as violence with Israel tapers

Palestinians canceled the weekly Gaza border protest was cancelled Friday in the aftermath of 12-hours of violence between Hamas and Israel, that included two rockets launched at Tel Aviv.

The United Nations and Egypt have worked behind the scenes to restore the calm that has held since about 8 a.m.

The Palestinian decision to delay Friday's...