Yesterday, the world commemorated

**Yom HaShoah,** Holocaust Remembrance Day, yet sadly, the evil scourge
of anti-Semitism continues to spread across our country and around the
world. Nonetheless, the US-Israel relationship is stronger than it has
ever been and continues to benefit both nations. In this week's Action
Update we take a look at the need for combatting anti-Semitism and
report on joint American-Israeli efforts to combat COVID-19.

Anti-Semitism is On the Rise

In the US, a recently released study from the Anti-Defamation League
(ADL) revealed that nearly two-thirds of American Jews feel less safe
today than they did 10 years ago. The same study found that one-fifth of
our Jewish neighbors have experienced verbal harassment due to their
faith, and five percent - or one in 20 - have experienced violence
at the hands of anti-Semites. And it's worth considering that the
ADL's study took place before the COVID-19 pandemic, which has led to
a spike in anti-Semitic incidents.

Elsewhere around the world, we've seen anti-Semitism reach new and
terrifying heights. Iran's Press TV has peddled the idea that
"Zionists" are behind the novel coronavirus. Likewise, a far right
political party in France posted a video linking Jews to the spread of
the virus. A far left Spanish publication blamed the virus on "Yankee
Zionist imperialism." And, though not connected to the coronavirus, in
perhaps the most astounding incident yet, according to the Jewish
Telegraphic Agency, "The Danish Bible Society has omitted dozens of
references to Israel from translations of the Hebrew Bible and the New
Testament."

From infecting one's population with anti-Semitism, as the Iranian
regime seeks to do, to the rank ignorance clearly spreading across
Europe - anti-Semitism is having a resurgence.

Education is the Cure

In democracies, there are two ways to combat this abomination: security
and education. In order to defend against today's so often violent
anti-Semites, we must ensure Jewish communal institutions have the
protection they need. That is why the CUFI Action Fund has endorsed
increasing federal funding for hardening and securing such facilities.

But in order to go on the offense and ensure we do not see ever
increasing levels of anti-Semitism in the US, we must educate the next
generation about the evils of this hatred. That is why the CUFI Action
Fund has been heavily engaged
,
alongside our partners at Hadassah, in the effort to advance

**The Never Again Education Act**. This legislation will ensure federal
funding for those schools that wish to teach about the horrors of the
Holocaust.

As of late, we've been in direct communication with a number of
offices on the Hill, and we expect this bill, which has already passed
the House, to have an excess of 60 cosponsors when the Senate
reconvenes. That means that a strongly bipartisan, filibuster proof
majority of the Senate will have added their names to the bill. As such,
we urge its rapid passage.

Combatting COVID Together

Last week, CUFI's founder and Chairman, Pastor John Hagee, authored an
op-ed

discussing US-Israel cooperation in the effort to combat the novel
coronavirus. In the piece, Pastor Hagee laid out the many ways in which
the US and Israel are working closely in the effort to fight the global
pandemic and reminded readers of the importance of the US-Israel
relationship - especially during challenging times.

"Our bonds are both remarkable and remarkably expectable. After all, the
U.S. and Israel have worked hand-in-hand for generations in myriad ways,
thanks in large part to continued U.S. foreign aid. Foreign aid is often
thought of in the context of defense procurement, but it's so much
more than that. U.S. foreign aid also helps to keep Americans healthy
and on the cutting edge of scientific research," Pastor Hagee wrote.

As such, we welcome last week's proposal from Senators Cruz and Coons
to appropriate $12 million in funding for joint US-Israel cooperation
aimed at combatting COVID-19.

"The US and Israel are among the most innovative countries on earth and
among the closest allies in the world. It is only natural that at this
time we seek to utilize this relationship to combat the global pandemic.
The CUFI Action Fund strongly endorses the proposal from Senators Cruz
and Coons to appropriate $12 million in the forthcoming CARES 2 bill
towards joint American-Israeli efforts aimed at contending with the
novel coronavirus. We are very grateful to these two Senators for their
leadership on this issue," said CUFI Action Fund Chairwoman Sandra
Parker in a statement released earlier this week.

Thank you for continuing to stay informed about these vital issues, and
thanks to all those who contacted us with such kind words about the
Action Update. You keep reading, and we'll keep bringing you the most
up-to-date information and analysis on issues relevant to the US-Israel
relationship.

Sincerely,

CUFI Action Fund Team

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