This week, as the Action Fund Team continues our efforts to advance policy through virtual interactions, we saw some positive developments in the US-Israel relationship and even one coming out of Lebanon. Unfortunately, as this crisis brings out the best in our communities and our country, it seems to have brought out the worst in Tehran - despite the Islamic Republic being ravaged by the pandemic spreading across the world. LebanonFor months, the Action Fund has been focused on seeing US aid to the Lebanese Armed Forces conditioned on Beirut extricating Hezbollah from the Lebanese military. Many of you might be surprised to learn that even as the policy of unconditional aid to Lebanon was being advocated by elements inside the Departments of State and Defense, a US citizen, Amer Fakhoury, was being held hostage in Lebanon by that government on trumped up charges. Finally, after Senators Ted Cruz (R-TX) and Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) led an effort to threaten Beirut with sanctions, Fakhoury was released. Shaheen, who represents Fakhoury’s home state of New Hampshire said, “Any time a U.S. citizen is wrongfully detained by a foreign government, we must use every tool at our disposal to free them… No family should have to go through what the Fakhoury family has gone through.” The CUFI Action Fund is grateful to the Senators for their indefatigable efforts to secure Fakhoury’s release, but we will not forget that Beirut did the right thing only after the threat of crippling sanctions was leveled at the Hezbollah-backed government. IranAlso this week, Michael R. White, a US Navy veteran who is being held by the government in Iran was provided a medical furlough. White has cancer and is currently in Swiss custody in Tehran while he undergoes medical evaluations. The US is calling for White’s full release, as well as the release of all other Americans being held by the Iranian regime including Morad Tahbaz, former FBI agent Robert Levinson, Siamak Namazee, and Baquer Namazee. The CUFI Action Fund will support any and every effort to bring these Americans home. Iran uses American prisoners as political pawns. They support terror and are pursuing a nuclear weapon. Therefore it should come as no surprise to learn that this week it was revealed that Iranian officials stole more than $1 billion intended to help the Islamic Republic procure much-needed medical supplies. Perhaps this latest news will make clear to Iran’s American would-be appeasers that the regime in Tehran is evil and not to be trusted. You can rest assured that the next time a CUFI Action Fund team member is communicating with a senate office that has sought to undermine President Trump’s maximum
pressure campaign, we’ll bring up this latest abomination. Iran’s actions should serve as a reminder that the enemies of the US and Israel have not abandoned their radical imperialist agendas. They have not joined the rest of the world in banding together to defeat this global pandemic. Rather, Tehran sees everything through the eyes of their Islamic Revolution. That is why we welcomed the news this week that the Treasury Department designated five companies in the United Arab Emirates who purchased large amounts of petroleum products from the National Iranian Oil Company. Iran’s energy related industries are a major source of income for the regime in Tehran. These funds are used to support the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps-Qods Force’s malign activities throughout the Middle East and the activities of Iranian proxy groups across the region. US-Israel Relationship The CUFI Action Fund does not lobby in support of a strike against Iran; rather, we hope and pray that the people of Iran will take their country back from their evil rulers. However, given that our enemies will not slow their malicious plans, America and Israel must continue to maintain our military readiness. That is why we were pleased to learn that the US and Israel are presently holding a joint aerial exercise using the highly advanced F-35 Joint Strike Fighter.
In order to maintain the safety and health of all troops, there is no physical contact between the two armed forces. What is striking however is that they are choosing to hold this critical exercise in spite of all that is going on in the world. This is a reminder of the importance of the US-Israel relationship and the threats for which our brave men and women in uniform must be prepared to counter. The CUFI Action Fund supports the close ties between the American and Israeli armed forces and will continue to lobby for policies that enable and enhance this vital military-to-military relationship. Never Again Education Act As regular readers of the Update know, we feel strongly that the fight against anti-Semitism requires a two pronged attack. We must ensure the protection of our Jewish brother and sisters and ensure the next generation is inoculated against this hatred by delivering proper historical education. The Never Again Education Act addresses the latter by providing schools with funding to teach students about the Holocaust. It’s that simple, and we strongly support the bill’s passage. That is why we were very grateful to have seen a host of new cosponsors sign onto the bill since the beginning of the month. New cosponsors thus far this month are Senators Tina Smith, Elizabeth Warren, Roger Wicker, Joe Manchin, Bernie Sanders, Gary Peters, Sheldon Whitehouse, Dan Sullivan, and Dick Durbin. We know this is a
challenging time for all Americans. We are exceptionally grateful that you would take a few moments to stay informed about issues of importance to the US and Israel. We’ll be back next week with more up-to-date news about the matters that you care about. In the meantime, stay safe, informed, and blessed.
Sincerely,
CUFI Action Fund Team
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