CUFI Expresses Support for Crippling Sanctions Against Turkey; Cancelling Erdogan Visit

WASHINGTON – On Tuesday, the leadership of Christians United for Israel (CUFI), the nation’s largest pro-Israel organization, expressed support for sanctioning Turkey for that country’s violent and unprovoked actions in Syria.

“We cannot sit idly by as a radical Islamist strongman, who backs terrorists like Hamas, engages in the slaughter of our stalwart allies the Kurds. Nor can we be silent as this totalitarian threatens Middle Eastern Christians. The short-term consequence of the US pullback from Syria will be a humanitarian disaster that pushes the Kurds into the arms of our adversaries. In the long-term, an emboldened Turkey will have direct negative consequences for Israel as well as America’s standing amongst allies around the world,” said CUFI founder and Chairman Pastor John Hagee.

“Congress and the Administration should sanction Turkey without delay. In addition, plans for the Turkish President to visit the White House next month should be cancelled immediately,” Hagee added.

CUFI’s statement comes on the heels of the organization’s policy arm, the CUFI Action Fund, expressing concern with the Administration’s decision to open the door for Turkey’s attacks on America’s Kurdish allies in Syria.

“Turkey is not an ally, they are an adversary. Opening the door to their invasion in Northern Syria has already had disastrous consequences. We must use every tool in our diplomatic and economic arsenal to put a halt to the slaughter and stop Turkey’s advance,” said CUFI Action Fund Chairwoman Sandra Parker.

“The administration’s abandonment of our Kurdish allies only invites further destabilization and once again sends a message to allies in the Middle East that America is not a reliable partner — a message that our adversaries in Moscow and Tehran will further amplify to our detriment,” noted CUFI Action Director of Public Policy and Strategy Boris Zilberman in a recent op-ed.

With more than 7 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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