ISSUES

At CUFI, we are focused on several key issues with the goal of defending Israel’s strength, security, and sovereignty.

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United Nations (UN)

Israeli UN Envoy Hails General Assembly’s Condemnation of Antisemitism Following Diplomatic Battle

Israel’s envoy to the United Nations on Tuesday hailed the passage of a General Assembly resolution on hate crimes that was amended to include a specific condemnation of antisemitism as “an Israeli achievement at the UN and a crushing loss to the forces of hatred.”

Danny Danon, Israel’s ambassador to the UN, pointed out in a statement that the...

Israeli Society

First lady Nechama Rivlin in stable condition after ‘quiet night’ in hospital

The wife of President Reuven Rivlin was in stable condition Wednesday morning, but still under sedation and on a respirator, after a sudden deterioration in her condition the prior evening prompted her hospitalization.

Nechama Rivlin was rushed to Beilinson Hospital in Petah Tikva with difficulty breathing almost three weeks after receiving a...

Hamas

Jerusalem Post Arab-Israeli Conflict Hamas threatens families of captured Israelis: ‘accept our terms’

“You will see your sons only if you accept the terms of the Resistance,” read a Hamas-attributed post released on Tuesday threatening the families of IDF Lt. Hadar Goldin, St.-Sgt. Oron Shaul, Avera Mengistu and Hisham al-Sayed.

The tweet featured pictures of family members of the four captured Israelis.

Later on Tuesday, the Al-Qasam Brigade...

Israeli Society

Israel Inaugurates Embassy in Rwanda

Israel opened an embassy in the central African country of Rwanda in its capital Kigali, on Monday. This is Israel’s 11th embassy in Africa.

The embassy “symbolizes the policy of Israel’s return to Africa, as was announced by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu three years ago and in light of which he visited the continent four times and...

Hamas

PA stops referring Palestinian patients to Israeli hospitals

The Palestinian Authority Health Ministry has stopped referring Palestinians in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip to Israeli hospitals, a Palestinian official confirmed on Monday.

Government-affiliated and independent Palestinian news outlets first reported late last week that the PA ceased referring Palestinians to Israeli hospitals.

“We will no...

Iran

US planning new Iran sanctions, may target oil waivers — report

A US official said Washington was considering bolstering sanctions against Iran Monday, as Tehran protested that existing financial constraints placed by the US were hampering recovery efforts as the country continued to be hammered by deadly floods.

The official, speaking on the condition of anonymity, said the new sanctions could come in May, a...

US-Israel Relationship

US cancels shipments of F-35 equipment to Turkey

The United States has put a hold on delivering F-35 fighter aircraft equipment to Turkey over Ankara’s "unacceptable" plans to buy a Russian air defense system, according to the Pentagon.

Until Turkey forgoes the delivery of Russia’s S-400 long-range air defense system, "the United States has suspended deliveries and activities associated with...

Hezbollah

Report: Through Pompeo, Israel warns Lebanon of new Hezbollah missile plant

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has reportedly conveyed to Lebanon a message from Israel warning Beirut of action by Iran and Hezbollah to covertly construct a new missile production facility in the country.

The covert facility produces precision missiles and constitutes a threat to both Israel and Lebanon, Pompeo said, according to...

Hamas

Joined by Netanyahu, Brazilian president makes trailblazing trip to Western Wall

Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro was joined by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the Western Wall on Monday, becoming the first foreign head of state to visit the site together with a senior Israeli official.

His unprecedented step could be seen as a tacit recognition of Israeli sovereignty over that location in Jerusalem’s Old City, which...

Jerusalem

Brazil opens Israel trade mission in Jerusalem

Brazil opened a new trade mission to Israel in Jerusalem on Sunday, edging back from earlier signals it would follow the United States with a full embassy move to the contested city.

The announcement came during a visit by Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro, an outspoken admirer of President Donald Trump, who broke global consensus by recognizing...

Israel Defense Force (IDF)

IDF, US wrap up air defense exercise; THAAD anti-missile system to leave Israel

The Israel Defense Forces and American military on Sunday completed a four-week air defense exercise that saw the deployment of the United States’ most advanced missile defense system in Israel for the first time.

On March 4, the US European Command (US EUCOM) deployed the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) system, along with...

Antisemitism

Ex-London Mayor Ken Livingstone: ‘It’s not anti-Semitic to hate the Jews of Israel’

Former London Mayor Ken Livingstone says he doesn’t believe it’s anti-Semitic to hate Jewish citizens of Israel — the bulk of the population in the Middle East's only democracy.

Livingstone, known as "Red Ken" for his left-wing policies during his 2000-2008 mayoralty, is among a cadre of Labour officials, who are open and virulent critics of the...

Palestinian Authority

Palestinian Islamic Jihad reportedly planning attack on Israel

The Palestinian Islamic Jihad terrorist group is preparing a “significant” terrorist attack to undermine the ceasefire arrangement between Israel and Hamas, Yediot Aharonot reported on Monday..

According to the report, security forces deployed along the Gaza security fence have noticed “unusual” activity by the group’s military wing, leading...

Archeology

Tiny First Temple find could be first proof of aide to biblical King Josiah

Two minuscule 2,600-year-old inscriptions recently uncovered in the City of David’s Givati Parking Lot excavation are vastly enlarging the understanding of ancient Jerusalem in the late 8th century BCE.

The two inscriptions, in paleo-Hebrew writing, were found separately in a large First Temple structure within the span of a few weeks by...

In The News

Liberia, Africa Night to Honor Israel

Palestinian Authority

Palestinians call for mass Gaza border protests on Saturday

Factions in the Gaza Strip are urging Palestinians to participate in Saturday’s mass protests near the border with Israel afternoon prayers. The factions urged Palestinians on Thursday to “maintain the peaceful and popular nature” of the protests, and said they don’t want to give Israel an excuse to use force against the demonstrators.

Saturday’s...

Hamas

Turkey: air defense purchase from Russia ‘a done deal’

ISTANBUL - Turkey will honor its air defense deal with Russia, Ankara said on Friday after four US senators introduced a bill to ban the planned delivery of F-35 fighter jets if Turkey ignored US opposition and accepted the S-400 system.

"We have agreed with Russia in the end and signed an agreement. This agreement is valid (and) we are...

Israeli Society

Over a thousand Israelis attend funeral for American lone soldier

Over 1,000 people attended the funeral of an American lone soldier in the Israel Defense Forces on Thursday, hours after a call went out on social media urging those who could to make it.

Alex Sasaki, 27, of Laguna Beach, California, was found dead earlier this week from a drug overdose, an official from the Keep Olim NGO who knew him told The...

US-Israel Relationship

U.S. to put Israeli sovereignty over Golan Heights on the map

United States government maps are slated to be redrawn to reflect US President Donald Trump’s official recognition of Israeli sovereignty over the Golan Heights, according to a report by Voice of America.

A State Department spokesperson told VOA that the map changes would be “consistent” with Trump’s declaration, although he did not indicate how...

Israel Defense Force (IDF)

IDF readies for massive weekend protests along Gaza Border

The Israeli military said Thursday it is readying for protests along the Gaza border planned for Saturday, Palestinians’ Land Day, and a possible outbreak of violence.

The date also marks a year since the start of weekly violent protests along the Israel-Gaza border, known as the March of Return, which at times have escalated into exchanges of...