Date: Monday, October 7, 2019To: Friends & SupportersFrom: Gary L. Bauer, Director Taking Iran SeriouslyIsraeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ( [link removed](?x-mi:(?%3C=href=)[%5Cs]*[ ) addressed the Knesset last week. He had a stark warning: Israel needs to redouble its defensive capabilities against growing Iranian aggression in the region.The recent devastating attack on the Saudi oil facilities represented a dramatic escalation in Iran's behavior. Prior to that attack, the IDF carried out a pre-emptive strike ( [link removed](?x-mi:(?%3C=href=)[%5Cs]*[ ) against an Iranian cell that had been planning to launch drone strikes against Israel. There are indications that additional attacks by the Islamic Republic are likely. Vice Admiral Jim Malloy ( [link removed](?x-mi:(?%3C=href=)[%5Cs]*[ ), the commander in the U.S. Fifth Fleet based in Bahrain, recently said that he has been getting daily briefings on the movements of Iranian missiles. Based on what he has seen, Malloy concluded, "I don't believe that [Iran is] drawing back at all." Prime Minister Netanyahu pressed Knesset members to boost spending on anti-missile defense systems by $300 million. He warned:"This isn't spin. It's not a whim. This is not 'Netanyahu trying to scare us.' Anyone who knows the situation knows that Iran is getting stronger and is attacking around the world, saying clearly, 'Israel will disappear.' They believe it. They are working toward it. We need to take them seriously."Speaking of taking Iran seriously, I am pleased to report that some German officials are beginning to seriously question their government's continued support for the 2015 nuclear deal. As you may recall, we have periodically noted German intelligence reports tracking Iran's attempts to illegally acquire technology to produce weapons of mass destruction and expand its ballistic missile arsenal. (Here ( [link removed](?x-mi:(?%3C=href=)[%5Cs]*[ ), here ( [link removed](?x-mi:(?%3C=href=)[%5Cs]*[ ) and here ( [link removed](?x-mi:(?%3C=href=)[%5Cs]*[ ).) Unfortunately, Chancellor Angela Merkel remains steadfastly committed to the deal in spite of what various intelligence agencies are telling her, not to mention Iran's own belligerent activities.Uwe Becker ( [link removed](?x-mi:(?%3C=href=)[%5Cs]*[ ), Hesse's state commissioner for combatting anti-Semitism, is urging Chancellor Merkel to follow President Trump's lead by abandoning the nuclear deal and reimposing sanctions on Tehran. Becker said:"The current escalation with Israel should be reason enough for Germany to advocate the [that] Iran nuclear agreement, which has been undermined by Iran, [is] dead, and for the necessary sanctions against Tehran to become effective again in their entirety. . ."If Germany takes its [national interest] seriously, it must immediately freeze its relations with Iran and thus send a clear and unequivocal signal to the Iranian leadership." The Jerusalem Post ( [link removed](?x-mi:(?%3C=href=)[%5Cs]*[ ) notes that in 2008 Merkel addressed the Knesset and declared that the security of the Jewish state was "non-negotiable" and part of Germany's national interest.Christians United for Israel Action Fund is a 501(c)(4) non-profit organization, donations are not tax deductible for federal income tax purposes. To make a donation, please call 202-738-4714, or send a check to:CUFI Action Fund ( [link removed](?x-mi:(?%3C=href=)[%5Cs]*[ )300 Pennsylvania Avenue, SEWashington, D.C. 20001EMAIL GARY BAUER ( [link removed](?x-mi:(?%3C=href=)[%5Cs]*[ ) ( [link removed] ) ( [link removed] ) CUFI Action Fund300 Pennsylvania Avenue, SEWashington, D.C. 20001 Update your Email Preferences ( [link removed] ) or Unsubscribe ( [link removed] )
