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We start this week with the unwelcome but not-so-surprising news that
hundreds of millions of dollars of taxpayer money is being sent to one
of the of the UN's worst programs. We also thought it worth mentioning
that there is a real fear that the Biden administration is sadly
slipping back into its old habits when it comes to Iran. Finally, we
wrap things up by bringing you news of yet another state legislative
victory.

Rotten to the Core

In keeping with their "

**forgive every Palestinian sin"**approach to the region, earlier this
month the Biden administration elected to restore $235 million in US aid
to the Palestinians, which includes $150 million to the United Nations
Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA), $75 million in economic support and $10
million for peacebuilding programs via USAID - all of which had been
previously suspended by the Trump administration.

We back the suspension of such assistance and see no reason to restore
it until the underlying issues that lead to the initial suspension (i.e.
pay to slay) have been resolved. The reasons for the termination of the
aid in the case of UNRWA are plain and simple: UNRWA teaches hatred of
Jews in its classrooms, keeps the Palestinian people in a perpetual
state of refugee status, and - unlike all other people groups on the
planet - continuously bestows refugee status on every Palestinian
generation. None of this has changed.

In fact, in recent weeks, the pro-Israel community sent a letter, signed
by CUFI among several others, calling attention to the hateful and
antisemitic messaging in UNRWA textbooks. Until UNRWA ceases working to
perpetuate the conflict and force-feed school aged Palestinians hatred
of Jews and Israelis, not one American dollar should support that
entity. Unfortunately, as with Iran, the Biden administration seems
content to gloss over the horrible reality on the ground and reinstate
failed policies that harm the very people they are intended to help.

Only One Path Will Bear Fruit

Speaking of Iran, depending upon who is being asked, the Biden
administration's efforts to effectively return to a slightly modified
Iran nuclear accord are either "far away" or could become reality
"within weeks."

The Israelis fear that the Biden administration is rushing forward and
that, "The Iranians smell that the Americans want an agreement at any
price." If the Israeli assessment is correct, the Biden administration
is squandering the leverage afforded to the President and his team by
President Trump's strong approach to the Islamic Republic.

This said, there is widespread, bipartisan agreement here at home that
any engagement with Iran should address the Islamic Republic's nuclear
program, missile development, support for terror and human rights
abuses. All of it. In fact, a bipartisan group of 40 Senators sent the
President a letter in late March expressing their view that any
agreement should be comprehensive and enjoy bipartisan support in the
US.

The Senators also expressed their belief that the White House should
"consult with our European allies, Israel, and Gulf security partners
on a path forward with Iran." This approach, aimed at achieving
consensus amongst lawmakers here at home and amongst our allies -
including Israel and Arab nations who are geographically closest to Iran
and the associated dangers - has been and remains the CUFI Action
Fund's position. And we will continue to convey that to policy makers
in Washington at every turn. We need not rush into a bad agreement;
rather, the Biden administration needs to put in the time and work to
secure a strong agreement.

Cherry on Top

It's not always easy to end on a high note, but this week, it's a
breeze. Last Friday the Idaho state legislature passed the anti-BDS bill
in that state, advancing a third CUFI-backed anti-BDS bill this year. As
most state legislatures wind down their annual sessions, we are thrilled
to say that we went 3 for 3 in the states we decided in late January to
zero in on for anti-BDS bills in 2021.

We still have work to do to advance relevant executive action, and to
advance Holocaust education legislation in other states, but we are very
pleased these measures have advanced and want to express our gratitude
to all those who helped move these bills forward.

Until next week, thank you as always for devoting the time to go
in-depth with us on these vital issues and of course for your support
Israel and the CUFI Action Fund.

Sincerely,

CUFI Action Fund Team

SUPPORT CUFI ACTION FUND
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