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.

US-Israel Relationship

U.S.-Israel Relations: A Special Alliance

Introduction
Since President Harry Truman decided to recognize Israel eleven minutes after its declaration of independence, the United States and Israel have had a special relationship, which has evolved over time into a web of military, economic, academic, bureaucratic and personal connections at the local, state and federal levels.
Strategic...

Israel Defense Force (IDF)

Introducing: digital warfare through the IDF’s new intelligence unit

Around 400 soldiers serve in the new secret unit—covertly formed in 2014—most of whom are programmers, software testers and graduates of Electrical Engineering and Computer Sciences degrees.

The "products" produced by the unit constitute a significant leap in making real-time intelligence easily accessible to military commanders, in bolstering...

Israeli Society

Israel sets new record with 3.6 million tourists in 2017

Israeli tourism hit an all-time high in 2017, earning ₪20 billion in revenue from incoming tourism alone thanks to new flight routes and marketing efforts led by the Ministry of Tourism. A total of 3.6 million tourists were recorded, a 25 percent increase over 2016.

“The all-time record number of tourists visiting Israel this year is no accident;...

US-Israel Relationship

January 5,1964: Pope Paul VI and President Zalman Shazar of Israel meet

Meeting at Megiddo, the scene of ancient battles, both voiced hope for a moral revival and for peace among men.

Israel Defense Force (IDF)

New Elite Military Unit Ready to Defend Israel From Gaza Terror Threat

JNS.org – A new elite IDF infantry unit is about to take up its position along Israel’s border with the Gaza Strip.

The Haruv (Carob) unit, named after a renowned force that operated in Israel’s southern desert border in the 1960s and 1970s, was once a regular infantry battalion in the Kfir brigade, focusing on security operations in Judea and...

Iran

US sanctions Iranian missile firms, says protesters will not be forgotten

WASHINGTON — The United States imposed sanctions Thursday on five Iranian companies it alleges are working on part of the Islamic republic’s illegal ballistic missile program while the State Department vowed that Iranian protesters “will not be forgotten.”

Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin linked the measure to recent anti-government protests,...

US-Israel Relationship

Trump threatens to cut off US aid to Palestinians over Jerusalem dispute

Acknowledging his push to broker peace in the Middle East has stalled, US President Donald Trump on Tuesday threatened to cut off aid to the Palestinian Authority, asking why Washington should make “any of these massive future payments” when the Palestinians were “no longer willing to talk peace.”

In a tweet, the president dismissed Palestinian...

Event Recaps

December 17 Bessemer, Alabama Stand With Israel

Event Recaps

December 16 Anchorage, Alaska Stand with Israel Spanish

Event Recaps

December 14 Fairbanks, Alaska Stand With Israel Spanish

Event Recaps

December 20 Waco, Texas Standing With Israel

US-Israel Relationship

Trump underscores unequivocal support for Israel by moving embassy

Early this month, I celebrated as President Donald Trump recognized Jerusalem as Israel’s capital and the future location of our U.S. Embassy. His declaration was bold and clear, and it crystalized America’s unequivocal support for Israel — our greatest ally in the Middle East. In making his declaration, the president Trump was reflecting not just...

Jerusalem

Jerusalem’s history as Israel’s eternal capital

Please watch and share this inspiring short video about Jerusalem's history as Israel’s eternal capital. We are thankful our President put America on the right side of history by officially recognizing this 3,000 year old fact. Help us support the undeniable connection of the Jewish people to Jerusalem by sharing this video.
...

Israeli Society

2,700-year-old seal impression cements existence of biblical Jerusalem governor

Past and present collided last week when an extremely rare seal impression discovered in Jerusalem’s Western Wall plaza and bearing the inscription “Belonging to the governor of the city” was presented to Jerusalem Mayor Nir Barkat.

According to site excavator Dr. Shlomit Weksler-Bdolah, “This is the first time that such an impression was found...

Israeli Society

Remains of 1,500-year-old monastery and church uncovered

The remains of a 1,500-year-old Byzantine monastery and church decorated with mosaic floors and imported marble elements are currently being uncovered during large-scale excavations conducted by the Israel Antiquities Authority in Beit Shemesh with the help of more than 1,000 teenagers.

“We were surprised by the wonderful state of preservation...

Iran

Report: US, Israel sign secret pact to tackle Iran nuclear and missile threat

Israel and the United States have secretly signed a far-reaching joint memorandum of understanding providing for full cooperation to deal with Iran’s nuclear drive, its missile programs and its other threatening activities, an Israeli TV report said.

The document was signed on December 12 at the White House, culminating intensive talks between...

US-Israel Relationship

Planned Western Wall train station to be named for Trump — minister

A train station that will be built next to the Western Wall will be named after US President Donald Trump.

The decision was made by Transportation Minister Israel Katz, who said: “The Western Wall is the holiest place for the Jewish people, and I decided to name the train station that leads to it after president Trump – following his historic...

US-Israel Relationship

Haley announces $285M cut in 2018-19 UN operating budget

Calling it “a big step in the right direction,” U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley on Sunday night announced a historic reduction in the U.N. biennial operating budget.

Haley said the plan calls for a $285 million cut for the 2018-19 fiscal year.

“The inefficiency and overspending of the United Nations are well known,” Haley...

Syria

Syrian refugee baby airlifted to Israel for emergency heart surgery

A 2-day-old baby boy born in Cyprus to a pair of Syrian refugees was airlifted to Israel early Saturday for emergency surgery to repair a life-threatening heart defect.

The baby was born in a refugee camp in Cyprus where his parents had fled to escape the ongoing Syrian civil war. He was diagnosed with a heart defect that the Cypriots were...

Hamas

Netanyahu instructs UNESCO envoy to withdraw from organization

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Friday directed Israel's UNESCO ambassador Carmel Shama Hacohen to exit the United Nation's Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) after previous threats to do so.

Joining the US, which left UNESCO in October, Israel notified the organization that, as of December 31st, it will no longer be...