Category: Press Releases

February 29, 2024

CUFI Leadership Pans Congressional Inaction on Emergency Supplemental

Parker: “Washington knows that when Ron Dermer sounds an alarm bell, one should heed the warning and act with all deliberate speed”

WASHINGTON – On Thursday, the leadership of Christians United for Israel (CUFI), the nation’s largest pro-Israel organization, released the following statements concerning the continued delay in U.S. emergency support for Israel.

“Despite numerous, passionate speeches supporting Israel on the House floor in the wake of the 10/7 Massacre, it’s astonishing that our elected officials stand idly by as Israeli soldiers die in Gaza. America’s Congressional inaction will lead to more devastation in Israel while continuing to undermine our standing in the world. It is time for our leaders to set aside their own political interests and take the righteous path—not to act is to act,” said CUFI founder and Chairman Pastor John Hagee.

Referring to Israeli Minister of Strategic Affairs Ron Dermer’s recent comment that Israel needed U.S. aid, “yesterday,” CUFI Action Fund Chairwoman Sandra Parker noted, “Given his years working in our nation’s capital, Washington knows that when Ron Dermer sounds an alarm bell, one should heed the warning and act with all deliberate speed.”

“Though our patience has worn thin, our position has not changed. We will continue to support a bipartisan legislative vehicle for advancing emergency aid to Israel, and we will continue to oppose any effort to set the terrible precedent of demanding offsets to emergency war funding,” Parker 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.

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February 13, 2024

CUFI Welcomes Senate Action On Israel Supplemental

WASHINGTON – On Tuesday, the leadership of Christians United for Israel (CUFI), the nation’s largest pro-Israel organization, issued the following comments welcoming the Senate’s passage of national security supplemental legislation that includes aid to Israel.

“Israel’s victory over Hamas will make the world a safer place. Those who support an emergency supplemental package that can be signed into law are standing with democratic values, and those who oppose it are actively aiding terrorism,” said CUFI founder and Chairman John Hagee.

“CUFI has backed every rational vehicle for advancing Israel aid and that will not change. The House should move this bill forward without delay – and if that requires a discharge petition, so be it. CUFI will oppose any unnecessary amendments or delays of the emergency supplemental,” 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.

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February 3, 2024

CUFI Calls on Congress to Advance Speaker Johnson’s Clean Israel Supplemental

Parker: “…any effort to undermine or delay this legislation will directly aid the rapists and murderers of Hamas.”

WASHINGTON – On Saturday, the leadership of Christians United for Israel (CUFI), the nation’s largest pro-Israel organization, applauded Speaker Mike Johnson for his plans to bring forward a clean Israel supplemental bill and called on Congress to advance this legislation without delay.

“In the wake of the horrific 10/7 Massacre, numerous members of Congress pledged to support Israel as Jerusalem fights back against Hamas’s barbarism. Yet, more than four months since that ghastly day, Congress had yet to advance an aid package to the President’s desk. I applaud Speaker Johnson for recognizing that this is unacceptable and acting on principle by advancing a clean supplemental,” said CUFI founder and Chairman Pastor John Hagee.

“Lack of congressional action reverberates far beyond Khan Yunis and Sderot. Anything less than full American support for Israel will only further embolden Hezbollah to Israel’s north, the Houthi’s in Yemen, Iranian proxies in Iraq, and their collective paymasters in Tehran,” said CUFI Action Fund Chairwoman Sandra Parker.

“War is no time for political gamesmanship. As Israeli soldiers die in Gaza’s darkest alleys and more than 100 hostages, including Americans, are held in Gaza’s darkest tunnels, any effort to undermine or delay this legislation will directly aid the rapists and murderers of Hamas,” Parker 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.

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December 13, 2023

WASHINGTON – On Wednesday, the leadership of Christians United for Israel (CUFI), the nation’s largest pro-Israel organization, welcomed today’s vote in the U.S. Senate advancing the FY 2024 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), which contains several crucial elements supportive of the U.S.-Israel relationship and important to Israel’s ability to defend herself. 

“In the wake of the October 7 Hamas terrorist attacks, it is a moral requirement and strategic imperative that American defense policy enhances deterrence against Israel’s enemies and reemphasizes unshakeable bipartisan support for Israel’s security. Our leaders must be clear to the world, in word and deed, that there is no greater friend, and no more dangerous enemy, than the United States. Passing this legislation is an important step forward towards reattaining that reputation,” said CUFI founder and Chairman Pastor John Hagee. 

CUFI supported several pro-Israel provisions in the NDAA, including but not limited to:

• authorizing U.S. support of Israel’s Iron Dome Missile Defense System (Sec. 1665)
• extending U.S.-Israel anti-tunnel cooperation (Sec. 1252);
• increasing authorizations for U.S.-Israel cooperation to counter drones (Sec. 1253);
• modifying authorization of U.S.-Israel cooperation on directed energies (Sec. 1254);
• ensuring the Israel-based war reserves stockpile is properly equipped to handle a variety of threats through 2027 (Sec. 1255);
• requiring a report from the Department of Defense examining whether any products sold at commissaries were produced by companies engaged in a boycott of Israel (Sec. 1258); and
• establishing an integrated Middle East maritime capability with U.S. partners in the region, including Israel (Sec. 1261).

“Congress dropped the ball on the emergency supplemental to Israel, but we have confidence that with strong leadership, that legislation will advance. We are deeply grateful to Chairman Reed (D-RI), Ranking Member Wicker (R-MS), Chairman Rogers (R-AL), and Ranking Member Smith (D-WA), for displaying the leadership necessary to move vital, bipartisan legislation, like the NDAA,” 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.

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(12/04/23)

WASHINGTON / LONDON – On Monday, the leadership of Christians United for Israel (CUFI) and CUFI U.K. released the following statements calling for the U.S. and U.K. governments, respectively, to follow Germany’s lead in suspending aid to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA), which operates in partnership with Hamas. 

CUFI founder and Chairman Pastor John Hagee said:

“CUFI applauds the clear-eyed moral courage of the German government to recognize that UNRWA helps Hamas maintain its grip over the Palestinian people, infect children with antisemitic lies, and divert resources toward building and maintaining the most significant terror infrastructure in the world. President Biden should follow Germany’s lead by ordering a suspension of U.S. taxpayer dollars to an organization that provides in-kind contributions to murderers and hostage takers. Not one penny should flow to UNRWA from Americans until the U.N. reforms itself to ensure it helps, not hinders, the Palestinian people.” 

CUFI U.K. Executive Director Des Starritt said:

“The Foreign Office should take note of Berlin’s actions and follow suit. London was late to proscribing Hezbollah; must we also persist, at this tragic moment, in sending money to one of the entities most responsible for fueling war and hatred in the Middle East? Certainly the British public does not want to see our money flowing to those who teach hatred and glorify violence.”

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.

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(06/28/23) WASHINGTON – On Wednesday, Christians United for Israel (CUFI), the nation’s largest pro-Israel organization, announced plans to welcome special guest Governor Ron DeSantis to address the group’s annual Washington Summit as the morning session’s keynote speaker. Governor DeSantis will be speaking at noon on Monday, July 17th.

The Summit is open to the media, but space is limited. Journalists wishing to request press credentials are asked to please follow this link and fill out the associated form. 

“Governor DeSantis has a long history of standing with Israel and the Jewish people. We look forward to hearing what the Governor has to say about the importance of the U.S. – Israel relationship, combating antisemitism, and standing up to Iran,” said CUFI founder and Chairman Pastor John Hagee. 

In addition to the Governor, CUFI has announced that Vice President Mike Pence and former U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley will serve as the keynote speakers during the Summit’s Night to Honor Israel on Monday evening. 

Additional Summit speakers include Senators Joni Ernst and Tom Cotton, House Majority Whip Representative Tom Emmer, Representatives Claudia Tenney, Mike Lawler, and Pat Fallon, IDF Lt. Col. (Res.) Jonathan Conricus, Walter Russell Mead, and Dr. Jonathan Schanzer, among others.

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.

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(02/02/23) WASHINGTON – On Thursday, the CUFI Action Fund released the following statement welcoming the House of Representative’s vote to remove Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-MN) from the House Foreign Affairs Committee:

“Antisemitism has no place anywhere in America, including and especially in Congress. The CUFI Action Fund welcomes today’s vote to remove Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-MN) from the House Foreign Affairs Committee.

“Rep. Omar has a track-record of trafficking in antisemitic tropes and making bigoted claims concerning pro-Israel activists. Moreover, her positions regarding the Middle East defy reason. She has made blatantly false claims about Israel and has even gone so far as to compare the United States and Israel to terrorist groups. An individual espousing such fringe and hateful beliefs has no place serving on the House Foreign Affairs Committee.

“Just as we did during the last Congress when we supported the vote to remove Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA) from her committees because of her own antisemitic comments, the CUFI Action Fund will continue to combat antisemitism in all its forms, wherever it is found.”

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.

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(12/16/22) WASHINGTON – On Thursday, Christians United for Israel (CUFI) founder and Chairman Pastor John Hagee and CUFI Action Fund Chairwoman Sandra Parker released the following joint statement applauding Congressional passage of the FY 2023 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA).

“CUFI and its members applaud Congress for supporting U.S.-Israel missile and drone defense programs, furthering efforts to create a regional air-defense partnership among U.S. allies in the Middle East, and prohibiting the transfer of any funds to the Islamic Republic are essential to U.S. interests in this critical legislation.

“The incorporation of the Deterring Enemy Forces and Enabling National Defenses (DEFEND) Act – a core element of CUFI’s legislative agenda – and increased support for the Nonprofit Security Grant Program (NSGP) are particularly gratifying. We look forward to American allies in the Middle East, including Israel, moving closer into entering into a regional air-defense partnership, and for the availability of greater resources to combat antisemitism in America.

“President Biden should sign the NDAA without delay and demonstrate to our allies and adversaries that America is clear-eyed about the threats we face and unwavering in its commitment to defeating them.”

On the DEFEND Act, CUFI Chairman Pastor John Hagee said:

“In advancing the DEFEND Act and prohibiting the U.S. from following through on offers to provide unprecedented sanctions relief to the oppressive and murderous regime in Tehran, Congress has made clear that the American people expect that elected leaders will confront the Islamic Republic with a firmer hand. It is incomprehensible that Washington would consider throwing an economic lifeline to the regime while brave Iranians risk their lives to destroy the system that has robbed generations of the opportunity to live in freedom, prosperity, and friendship with the international community.

On the NGSP, CUFI Action Fund Chairwoman Sandra Parker said:

“Ever since Majority Leader Schumer called for an increase in support for the NSGP, we have been actively engaged in that effort. Every American should be able to worship God as they see fit and free of fear. Jews are unable to do so today in the United States because the threats of antisemitic violence including hostage taking and murder are sadly and despicably real. Americans are being terrorized from within and it is entirely unacceptable and incompatible with our values. From enhancing Holocaust education to state and local adoption of the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance’s definition of antisemitism, more needs to be done, and including support for the NSGP in the NDAA is a step in the right direction.”

With more than 11 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.

 

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(11/15/22) WASHINGTON – On Tuesday, the leadership of Christians United for Israel (CUFI), the nation’s largest pro-Israel organization, released a statement in response to reports the Department of Justice has decided to reverse a previous Biden administration decision and open an investigation into the death of journalist Shireen Abu Akleh. The Department’s decision comes after an aggressive lobbying campaign in support of the investigation by several anti-Israel Members of Congress.

“It is both shocking and appalling that the Department of Justice has allowed anti-Israel Members of Congress to pressure an allegedly independent arm of the executive branch into this investigation. Israel is a democracy and an American ally, and the Israelis have investigated this incident in a manner befitting both of those titles,” said CUFI founder and Chairman Pastor John Hagee.

“The Biden Administration’s Middle East policy is nonsensical. Rather than confront adversaries and stand with our allies, President Biden is doing the exact opposite. Instead of allowing his Justice Department to be browbeaten by radical anti-Israel members of his party into going after Israel, President Biden should focus on ending the Palestinian Authority’s pay-to-slay program and supporting Israel as the Jewish state confronts Palestinian terrorism,” said CUFI Action Fund Chairwoman Sandra Parker.

“President Biden has left the door open for negotiations with Iran while simultaneously allowing his Justice Department to engage in a politicized investigation into Israel. These are not the actions of the leader of the free world; they are the actions of a man who has completely lost his way,” 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.

 

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(7/14/22) WASHINGTON – Next week, Christians United for Israel (CUFI), the nation’s largest pro-Israel organization, will welcome more than 1,000 of the group’s top leaders to its first Washington Summit held in person in the DC area since the Covid-19 pandemic prevented the annual gathering from taking place in the nation’s capital. As arrangements for this year’s Summit were made while significant Covid-19 restrictions were still in place in Washington, this year’s event will be held in Crystal City.

“We had to make decisions about the Summit’s size and location some time ago but concluded that a smaller Summit than usual was far preferable to forgoing the event. It is absolutely vital that our elected officials hear from their pro-Israel constituents in person and in our nation’s capital,” said CUFI founder and Chairman Pastor John Hagee.

At this year’s Summit, attendees will lobby their elected officials in support of three pieces of legislation: The DEFEND (Deterring Enemy Forces and Enabling National Defenses) Act of 2022 (S.4366/H.R.7987), The Fiscal Year 2023 House and Senate State-Foreign Operations Appropriations Bills, and the COI Elimination Act (S.4389/H.R.7223).

“From countering both Iran’s malign activities and yet another U.N. anti-Israel witch-hunt to ensuring Israel maintains its qualitative military edge in the region, this year’s Summit legislative agenda covers a lot of vital ground. CUFI’s members are chomping at the bit to sit and discuss these important issues with their legislators, and we are thrilled to be able to facilitate those conversations,” said CUFI Action Fund Chairwoman Sandra Parker.

Further details about the legislation, as well as a livestream of key Summit plenary sessions, background about CUFI and photos taken during the Summit can be found here.

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.

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