This week's Action Update could easily be dubbed the

**good news, bad news edition**. Across the Middle East we saw truly
historic events - some that fill us with joy, others that cause us to
shake our heads in utter disappointment. But let's start with the good
news.

UAE-Israel Normalization

As anyone who even casually watches events in the Middle East is aware,
the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Israel have agreed to normalize ties.
The normalization of ties will include a series of bilateral agreements
encompassing economic, energy, healthcare and other key issues along
with the establishment of reciprocal embassies.

The CUFI Action Fund exuberantly welcomed this news with our Chairwoman,
Sandra Parker, noting, "Israel is always willing to make peace, and
our elected officials in Congress should bear that in mind as they
consider policies that impact the US-Israel relationship. It is our
fervent hope that this historic announcement will pave the way for other
countries who should have no quarrel with Israel to normalize ties with
the Jewish state."

Back in late June, CUFI founder and Chairman Pastor John Hagee called
for exactly this normalization of relations in an interview with the
Jerusalem Post when he said, "The Gulf states, who are claiming that
Israeli 'annexation' would lead to an end to their not-so-secret
relations with Israel, ought to put their requests in a positive light.
Rather than threaten to walk away, they should publicly and formally
offer normalization of ties between the broader Arab world and Israel if
Israel gives the Palestinians a set period of time to return to the
negotiating table in good faith."

Since the announcement, we've seen predictable reactions from the
Palestinian Authority, Iran, and allegedly pro-Palestinian activists in
the US, all of whom panned the historic event. Sadly, one might be
forgiven for believing these entities and groups are singularly focused
on Israel's destruction rather than an end to hostilities in the
region.

In stark contrast, we've seen positive reactions from countries
elected officials from both parties and countries such as Bahrain, Oman,
Morocco, and Sudan. Moreover, news reports justify a bit of optimism
that the UAE-Israel normalization is the just beginning of a fundamental
shift in Arab-Israel relations. It's becoming undeniably clear that
each day Arab leaders grow more impatient with perennial Palestinian
rejectionism. Such bodes well for the future of the region.

Iran Gets to Buy More Bombs (Maybe)

Late last week, the UN Security Council, in what may go down as one of
the most cowardly moments in diplomatic history, voted 2-2-11 on
extending the UN arms embargo - set to expire in October - against
Iran. The two countries supporting the measure were the United States
and the Dominican Republic. Russia and China voted against the measure,
and eleven countries, including the UK, France and Germany, all
abstained.

President Trump has floated the idea of invoking the "snapback"
provision of the Iran nuclear accord that would reimpose key UN
sanctions against the Islamic Republic. The CUFI Action Fund, which
recognizes that Iran is the world's leading state sponsor of terror,
would support invoking the snapback provision of the agreement.

Hezbollah Gets Away with Murder

In what may go down as one of the most cowardly moments in international
judiciary history, a UN-backed tribunal acquitted three members of
Hezbollah for the 2005 assassination of former Lebanese Prime Minister
Rafik Hariri and 21 other innocent people. One member of Hezbollah,
Salim Ayyash, was convicted of conspiracy to commit murder. Despite
this, according to the BBC, the court found "no evidence that
Hezbollah's leadership nor one of its patron's, Syria, were implicated
in the attack." A conclusion which seems detached from reality. 

The people of Iran, Lebanon, and the greater Middle East have suffered
enough. The UN has betrayed them. Save the United States, the great
powers are either directly supporting or at a minimum aiding and
abetting their chief tormentor: Tehran. Cowardice reigns supreme on much
of the world's stage. But there are bright spots. Yes, much of the
world's leadership is made up Chamberlains but there are Churchills as
well. And if the UAE and Israel can make peace, this proves that
tolerance, open-mindedness and courage can still win the day.

Sincerely,CUFI Action Fund Team

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