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.
Author: Kelly Jackson
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.
CUFI Action Fund Welcomes Majority Leader’s Commitment To Advancing Iron Dome Support
(10/19/2021) WASHINGTON – On Tuesday, the Christians United for Israel (CUFI) Action Fund welcomed reports that the U.S. Senate’s Democratic leadership is prepared to overcome Senator Rand Paul’s obstruction to approving Israel’s emergency request to replenish its Iron Dome missile defense system in the wake of a terrorist onslaught earlier this year.
“Iron Dome saves Israeli and Palestinian lives. Senator Paul’s obstructionism defies the will of his constituents and ignores the mainstream positions of Americans of all political persuasions. We welcome Majority Leader Chuck Schumer’s statement that if Senator Paul continues to block support for Iron Dome, the Senate will use “other means” to ensure the safety of Israel’s civilian population,” said CUFI Action Fund Chairwoman Sandra Parker.
“It is the will of the American people, not a few wayward politicians, that should win the day. From The Squad to Senator Paul, fringe politicians need to be sidelined. If Senator Paul wishes to address U.S. support for Afghanistan, he should do so without holding Israel hostage,” Parker added.
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: The Diplomats Meet
With Congress out of session, it’s a relatively quiet week in Washington. Nonetheless, there’s one meeting that Israel’s supporters should be aware of; so, we’ll unpack that today. In addition, some things are going on between Israel and Lebanon – and they’re not what you might expect.
The Action Update: Sen. Rand Paul is Endangering Israeli Lives (and he knows it)
We’re not going to make a habit of it, but this week we’ll once again only be covering two topics in The Update. Why? Because sometimes events are so impactful that they demand fixation over attention, and sometimes events are so head turning as to leave the observer with whiplash.
CUFI Condemns Sen. Rand Paul for Blocking Iron Dome Assistance
(10/04/2021) WASHINGTON — On Monday, Christians United for Israel (CUFI), the nation’s largest pro-Israel organization, strongly condemned Senator Rand Paul (R-KY) for blocking vital American support for Israel’s Iron Dome missile defense system.
“Iron Dome is a matter of life and death for Israelis and Palestinians, and Sen. Paul, true to form, is treating the replenishment of this vital system as a political game. Whatever concerns he has on other issues should be addressed in a manner that does not put innocent lives at risk. The legislation he is blocking advanced through the House of Representatives with overwhelming bipartisan support. Sen. Paul needs to stop playing games with the safety of the Israeli people,” said CUFI founder and Chairman Pastor John Hagee.
Last week, a Kentucky-based CUFI Congressional Liaison, David Wicker, sent a letter on behalf of the more than 181,000 CUFI members in the state asking Sen. Paul not to oppose Sen. Menendez’s unanimous consent request to advance US assistance for Iron dome.
“Your tactics undermine the US-Israel strategic relationship and the safety of innocent Israeli men, women and children living under the threat of terrorist rocket fire as well as the many Americans who regularly visit Israel, including those from our great Commonwealth,” Wicker noted in his missive.
“Allowing Hamas to hold a gun to Israelis’ heads by blocking support for Israel’s Iron Dome missile defense system empowers those hate-filled Representatives who demanded support for Iron Dome’s replenishment be removed from the recently advanced Continuing Resolution,” Wicker added.
“The people of Kentucky are pro-Israel; the junior Senator from the Commonwealth is contradicting the will of his constituents. If Sen. Paul is unwilling to understand that one does not put lives at risk to score political points, he has no business being in the United States Senate,” said CUFI Action Fund Chairwoman Sandra Parker.
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.
CUFI Welcomes House Passage of Iron Dome Funding
(09/23/2021) WASHINGTON – The leadership of Christians United for Israel (CUFI), the nation’s largest pro-Israel organization, issued the following statements in response to the House of Representatives passing HR 5323, legislation that will appropriate funds to replenish Israel’s Iron Dome missile defense system.
“The House of Representatives has spoken, and the message is clear: the American people stand with Israel. Those who would seek to deny Israel the means to protect her citizens from terror were resoundingly defeated today. The overwhelming and bipartisan vote backing US support for the Iron Dome system further proves that only the furthest radical fringe in this country is anti-Israel,” said CUFI founder and Chairman Pastor John Hagee.
“After Tuesday’s disgusting display of anti-Israel hate, we applaud the House Leadership for swiftly bringing this vote to the floor. One thing is certain: Support for Israel remains strong and bipartisan. The small band of Israel-haters who’ve managed to get themselves elected to Congress cannot be allowed to control the Congressional agenda or have any impact on the longstanding, righteous and mutually beneficial alliance between the US and Israel,” said CUFI Action Fund Chairwoman Sandra Parker.
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.
