In this week's edition of the Action Update, we look at what happens
when Washington stops functioning
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In this week's edition of the Action Update, we look at what happens
when Washington stops functioning, update our readers on our state-level
efforts, and offer a bit of wisdom for those seeking to understand the
day after Gaza. So, let's get into it. 

** **

**Consequences of Chaos**

America's ability to deter our adversaries has rapidly deteriorated in
recent years and especially recent weeks. The U.S. response to
Iranian-backed Houthi terror attacks and piracy in the Red Sea and
elsewhere has been anemic. Washington seems content with a tit-for-tat
rather than delivering the type of crippling blow that would dispense
with America's reputation as a paper tiger. To be clear: weakness
invites more aggression.

Likewise, Congressional chaos has led many in the world to - perhaps
correctly - assume the legislative branch of the U.S. government is
not functioning. We are focused on standing with Israel and the Jewish
people - nothing else. However, the CUFI Action Fund achieves our
goals by working with people in government. As such, when the U.S. House
of Representatives is in disarray and the Senate unable to produce a
legislative deal, our efforts to ensure America stands with Israel, are
hampered to say the least.

Both across the country and in Congress, there is overwhelming
bipartisan support for the emergency military support Israel needs to
fight Hamas and any other Iranian proxy force that attacks her. As
members of the House leave Washington for in-district work this week, we
hope they'll focus a bit of their time on figuring out a way forward
for this vital, democracy-defending appropriation.

**The Laboratories of Democracy**

Just because Congress continues to run around in circles, doesn't mean
our policy work comes to a standstill. With the start of the new year
comes the start of state legislative sessions and we are presently
backing a number of items across the country.

For example, in Georgia IHRA legislation recently advanced through the
Senate Judiciary Committee and will soon advance to the floor. Likewise,
in South Carolina, the House unanimously advanced IHRA legislation, and
in the coming weeks, supporters of the bill will gather for a lobbying
day in the capital with the hopes of swiftly moving the legislation
through the Senate and onto the Governor's desk.

In addition, CUFI is backing IHRA legislation in Indiana, anti-BDS bills
in Nebraska and Alaska, and a Nonprofit Security Grant Program measure
in Missouri.

**Looking Ahead**

There is no way for us to predict when the current war with Hamas will
end, or if it will expand to Israel's north. There is no way to know
if Iran is serious about retaliating against Israel for the IRGC thugs
the Israelis (allegedly) killed in Syria last week. In the Middle East,
the only thing that is certain is that the future is uncertain.

As supporters of Israel in the United States, this reality is difficult.
For those living in Israel, it is fundamentally unsustainable.

The Israelis for too long have lived under the shadow of rockets and
suicide bombers and of rapists and murderers. For too long, Israelis
have had to wake up to the blare of rocket sirens. For too many years,
they've had to be fearful of being stabbed, shot or run over, simply
for being Jewish.

As such, all those pontificating on the future of Gaza, the
Palestinian-Israeli conflict or the Middle East as a whole, should first
bear in mind that the people of Israel will not stop fighting until the
shadow of terror has been vanquished for good, and we will do everything
in our power to ensure Jerusalem has what she needs to succeed in her
righteous mission.

Sincerely,

The CUFI Action Fund Team

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CUFI Action Fund, 300 Independence Ave SE, Washington, DC 20003, United States