Happy New Year! For our DC readers, and all others able to take a little time off these past couple of weeks, welcome back. As is often the case in our line of work (and we’re sure many others), you take a little time off and there’s a pile of things to go through on your desk. So, this week, we’re going around the region to let you know where things stand – and perhaps where we’re headed – in 2022.
Author: Kelly Jackson
The Action Update: The White House May Finally See Iran’s Leaders For Who They Are
This past week, we saw some important pro-Israel policies advance in Congress, learned through press reports that both the White House and Downing Street may finally be seeing the Iranian regime for who they are, and heard more bluster from the Islamic Republic’s tyrannical leaders. A jam-packed week for sure, so let’s dive right in.
CUFI Welcome Congressional Passage of the NDAA
(12/15/2021) WASHINGTON – On Wednesday, the leadership of Christians United for Israel (CUFI), the nation’s largest pro-Israel organization, welcomed Congressional passage of the FY 22 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), including several key provisions relevant to the US-Israel relationship.
“We may often find ourselves frustrated with Congressional discord, but on the NDAA they got a lot of things right. We are particularly pleased to see one of CUFI’s three Summit legislative priorities, The US-Israel Cybersecurity Cooperation Enhancement Act (Sec. 1551) included in the bill. On behalf of CUFI’s 10 million members I would like to thank Senators Susan Collins, Jacky Rosen, Sheldon Whitehouse and Todd Young, as well as Representatives Andrew Garbarino and Jim Langevin for ensuring this vital legislation was included in the bill,” said CUFI founder and Chairman Pastor John Hagee.
CUFI leaders also welcomed the inclusion of an authorization of funds for Israel’s missile defense programs (Sec. 1669) and the creation of an interparliamentary group (Sec. 1316) of four nations, Cyprus, Greece, Israel and the United States, committed to limiting Turkey’s aggression.
“Passage of the NDAA shows that when our leaders set aside their differences on other issues, they can get a lot done. From missile defense to confronting Turkey’s malign activities, the NDAA covers a lot of ground and the leadership in both chambers and both parties should be commended for getting this bill to President Biden’s desk,” said CUFI Action Fund Chairwoman Sandra Parker.
“Now is the time to for the Senate to move forward with legislation (H.R. 5323), restocking Israel’s Iron Dome supply. This is a vital matter that has been held up for far too long by fringe members of both parties. Congressional leaders defied the radical elements of their parties on the NDAA, they can, should and must do the same on support for Israel’s Iron Dome supply,” Hagee added.
With more than 10 million members, Christians United for Israel is the largest pro-Israel organization in the United States and one of the leading Christian grassroots movements in the world. CUFI spans all fifty states and reaches millions with its educational message.
The CUFI Action Fund, a nonprofit 501(c)(4), nonpartisan organization, is related to the nation’s largest pro-Israel organization, Christians United for Israel (CUFI). The Action Fund is dedicated to ensuring our elected officials hear the perspective of the millions of Christian Zionists across the country.
The Action Update: Anyone Surprised? Anyone Listening? Anyone Opposed?
Whether you’re an optimist, a pessimist or somewhere in between, this week’s Action Update has something for everyone. From predictable behavior by the Islamic Republic, to surprising twists in the Iran saga and, not least, some welcome vigor from Israel’s allies on Capitol Hill, we’re covering it all.
The Action Update: What Does Everyone Want? What Can Be Done About it? What About Additional Sanctions?
This week the Iranians met, yet again, with world powers in Vienna to discuss the Islamic Republic’s nuclear program. As we’ve seen numerous times before, nothing good has or will come out of such meetings. And the reason is simple: we know what the Iranians, the Israelis and the Biden administration hope will come out of these talks and when you look at those objectives side-by-side, those who oppose a nuclear Iran have a real problem.
The Action Update: Iran’s Malice in the World, Iran’s Malice in the Middle East, Iran’s Malice at Home
In this week’s Action Update, we’re going to highlight Iran’s malicious activities throughout the Middle East and around the world. But first, read this Newsweek op-ed, from our Director of Public Policy and Strategy, discussing the need for the Biden administration to increase the United States’ response to Turkey’s malevolence and outlining the threats that Turkey poses to diplomacy and national security.
ICYMI: CUFI’s Boris Zilberman Calls For U.S. To Stop “Treading Water” With Turkey
(11/08/2021) WASHINGTON – In a recent op-ed for Newsweek, Boris Zilberman, director of public policy and strategy for Christians United for Israel (CUFI) Action Fund, discussed the need for the Biden administration to increase the United States’ response to Turkey and outlines the threats to diplomacy and national security that Turkey poses.
In his piece, Zilberman notes that Turkey has been “a source of bipartisan concern for the better part of the last decade,” saying that:
“Under the leadership of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Turkey has undermined its relationship with the U.S. and the strength of NATO, earned U.S. sanctions for procuring the Russian S-400 surface-to-air missile system and scuttled its reputation as a Western democracy. The concern and negative attention toward Turkey is warranted, but its continued behavior shows that U.S. efforts have been insufficient. More needs to be done. Unfortunately, President Joe Biden’s approach to Turkey and general laissez-faire outlook to the region has Washington treading.”
Congress remains “clear-eyed and focused on the threats emanating from Turkey” and has urged President Biden to “confront President Erdogan over his domestic crackdown against political opponents and civil society at large.” Zilberman argues that:
“The Biden administration should make use of the tools afforded by Congress. It should target Ankara’s UAV sector, heavily condition any potential sale of U.S. F-16s and heed the counsel of Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chair Robert Menendez (D-N.J.) to expand existing U.S. sanctions as punishment if Ankara moves forward with a second-round of deliveries of S-400s. If the White House does not respond, bipartisan and bicameral pressure on the administration will mount, just as it did in 2020 when the Trump administration was dragging its feet.”
Zilberman ends with a call to the Biden administration and Congress to stop “treading water”:
“Indispensable allies don’t behave like President Erdogan. Ankara’s antagonism far outweighs its pseudo-friendship. If the Biden administration wants to improve relations with Turkey, Flake will need to recognize Turkey as it is today, not as he wishes it to be, Congress will have to keep pushing back on Turkey’s bad behavior and President Biden will have to take personal ownership of a strategy to address the threats and challenges the so-called indispensable ally presents.”
To read Zilberman’s full opinion piece in Newsweek, CLICK HERE.
The CUFI Action Fund, a nonprofit 501(c)(4), nonpartisan organization, is related to the nation’s largest pro-Israel organization, Christians United for Israel (CUFI). The Action Fund is dedicated to ensuring our elected officials hear the perspective of the millions of Christian Zionists across the country.
The Action Update: A Step in the Right Direction, A Step in the Wrong Direction, Lebanon Losing More Friends
This week’s edition of the Action Update presents the good news and the bad news from Iran to Lebanon and, of course, our nation’s capital. It’s been an interesting week for US foreign policy and world affairs, so let’s dive right in.
The Action Update: Iran Strikes Again, The Senate Strikes Back, Neo-Nazis Strike Out
In this week’s Action Update, we’ll cover topics from Iran to the BDS movement to neo-Nazis, but rest assured, despite it all, we remain unphased, uncompromising, and unabashed in our support for Israel.
The Action Update: An American Patriot, Lebanon on the Brink (Again), Iran Buying Time (Again)
This week, the United States lost an American patriot who devoted his life to the service of his nation. Further down, we discuss certain policy items we feel our readers should be aware of, but first, let us take a moment to honor the late General Colin Powell.
