Category: Press Releases

(5/26/22) WASHINGTON – On Thursday, the leadership of the Christians United for Israel (CUFI) Action Fund released the following statement in response to the recent antisemitic rant delivered by California Congressional candidate Greg Raths:

(3/10/22) WASHINGTON – On Thursday, the leadership of Christians United for Israel (CUFI), the nation’s largest pro-Israel organization, welcomed passage of the long-awaited omnibus spending bill, which includes funding for several pro-Israel priorities.

“From core support enabling Israel to defend itself against tyrants that seek its destruction, to the vital resupply of Israel’s Iron Dome missile defense system, we welcome Congress including critical aid to Israel within the Omnibus bill, which now heads to the President’s desk,” said CUFI founder and Chairman Pastor John Hagee. 

The Iron Dome resupply had been held up for months by a fringe member of Congress, Senator Rand Paul, who repeatedly blocked an up or down vote on standalone legislation that would’ve provided the needed support.

“Iron Dome saves lives, plain and simple. American support for the Iron Dome missile defense system is sacrosanct, and the decision by certain anti-Israel members of Congress to obstruct support for a defensive system that protects innocent civilians is reprehensible. We are pleased that in the end, the radicals on both sides of the aisle were not able to undermine such vital American support for Israel,” Hagee noted.

“We are grateful to the Congressional leadership in both chambers and from both parties for moving this legislation forward. In addition to the financial support enabling Israel to defend itself and fight shared American and Israeli enemies like Hezbollah, this legislation also reiterates the importance of the Taylor Force Act and ensures aid falls within the law,” said CUFI Action Fund Chairwoman Sandra Parker.

“The American people demand the Palestinian Authority stop paying terrorists to kill innocent people, and until the PA ends this pay-to-slay program, they should receive not one cent of American taxpayer dollars,” 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.

(1/27/2022) SAN ANTONIO – On Thursday, the leadership of Christians United for Israel (CUFI), the nation’s largest pro-Israel organization, marked International Holocaust Remembrance Day by emphasizing the importance of efforts to combat antisemitism.

“Antisemitism is alive and well in the United States, and it must be stamped out. Silence in the face of this abomination has never and will never be an option for any person of conscience. On this day, of all days, we should acknowledge that any school, parent, or house of worship that fails to teach their children about the horrors of the Holocaust and the dangers of antisemitism is failing those children and the memories of six million lives lost in the Shoah,” said CUFI founder and Chairman Pastor John Hagee.

“As one cannot defeat that which they are unwilling to define, we are working with states across the country to ensure that the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance’s (IHRA) definition of antisemitism is acknowledged and appropriately utilized. In addition, we are working with educators to address the woeful state of Holocaust education in many school districts across the country. We will not stop until every child in America has a firm and personal understanding of the genocide by which all others are measured,” said CUFI Action Fund Chairwoman Sandra Parker.

Alabama, Arkansas, Idaho, Nevada, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Utah, West Virginia, and Wyoming recently announced proclamations commemorating International Holocaust Remembrance Day and acknowledging the IHRA definition.

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 50 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.

(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.

(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.

(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.

(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.

(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.

Parker: “Speaker Pelosi must decide who leads her party, the President of the United States or the fringe Democrats who held the CR hostage to block a lifesaving tool simply because they hate Israel.”

(09/21/2021) WASHINGTON – The Christians United for Israel (CUFI) Action Fund released the following statement in response to the decision to remove support for Israel’s Iron Dome missile defense system from the Continuing Resolution (CR) currently under Congressional consideration:

“The sole purpose of the Iron Dome system is to protect innocent civilians from terrorist rocket attacks. While we understand the additional Iron Dome funding will be included in the forthcoming defense appropriations bill, these critical funds will now unnecessarily be further delayed. Those who refused to support the CR because it included funds for a purely defensive system have shown once again that they are neither pro-Palestinian nor pro-peace, they are simply anti-Israel,” said CUFI Action Fund Chairwoman Sandra Parker.

“There is no spin, no Washingtonian explanation, no excuse whatsoever that merits opposition to Israel’s missile defense system. The simplest explanation is the accurate one: there are fringe members of Congress who despise Israel’s existence, and today, their party’s Congressional leadership buckled to their blatant, vile hatred,” Parker said.

“During his remarks at the United Nations, President Biden reaffirmed America’s “unequivocal” support for Israel. Speaker Pelosi must decide who leads her party, the President of the United States or the fringe Democrats who held the CR hostage to block a lifesaving tool simply because they hate Israel,” 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.

(04/28/2021) SAN ANTONIO – On Wednesday, the leadership of Christians United for Israel (CUFI), the nation’s largest pro-Israel organization, issued a statement welcoming the news that this week the governors of Idaho and West Virginia signed CUFI-backed anti-BDS legislation in their states into law and the Alabama State Senate concurred with the state’s House of Representatives by passing a resolution, “Endorsing and Encouraging Holocaust Education in the State of Alabama.”

“All three states, Utah, Idaho and West Virginia, where CUFI sought to advance legislation this year ensuring that taxpayer dollars do not end up in the hands of those who boycott Israel, have now seen those measures become law. And in Alabama, after close communications with a host of allied organizations and the Department of Education, we are now seeing that state endorse quality Holocaust education. Whether it comes in the form of Israel-boycotters or old-fashioned bigots, CUFI is resolutely committed to combating antisemitism at every turn,” said CUFI founder and Chairman Pastor John Hagee. 

CUFI regularly works with local rabbis and other Jewish communal leaders to advance such measures. This was especially true in Alabama where CUFI was joined in the effort to advance the Holocaust education resolution by a host of local leaders and organizations, including the Alabama Holocaust Commission, the Alabama-Israel Task Force, the Jewish Community Relations Council of the Birmingham Jewish Federation, the Jewish Federation of Central Alabama and the Mobile Area Jewish Federation.

“Action in state capitals does not happen without the efforts of invaluable partners at the local and national levels. As we push back against the BDS movement and seek to ensure the next generation is educated about the horrors of the Holocaust and the dangers of antisemitism, we do so arm-in-arm with organizations like the Jewish Federations of North America and the American Jewish Committee,” said CUFI Action Fund Chairwoman Sandra Parker.

To read Idaho’s Anti-Boycott Against Israel Act, signed by Governor Brad Little, please click here.

To read West Virginia’s Prohibition on contracting with companies that boycott Israel, signed by Governor Jim Justice, please click here.

To read Alabama’s Endorsing and Encouraging Holocaust Education in the State of Alabama, adopted by the Alabama legislature, please click 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.