Date: Monday, October 21, 2019
To: Friends & Supporters
From: Gary L. Bauer, Director

"The Canary In The Coal Mine"

Ahmed Shaheed, the United Nation's Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Religion, delivered an important report to the U.N. General Assembly late last week. He warned of a growing danger that is "toxic to democracy." Shaheed said that when it comes to global hatred, "Anti-Semitism is the canary in the coal mine."

Sadly, there's a lot of blame to go around. Shaheed explained:

"I am alarmed by the growing use of anti-Semitic tropes by white supremacists, including neo-Nazis and members of radical Islamist groups, in slogans, images, stereotypes and conspiracy theories to incite and justify hostility, discrimination and violence against Jews.

"I am also concerned about the increasing expressions of anti-Semitism emanating from sources in the political left and about discriminatory State practices towards Jews."

In a report prepared for the United Nations, Shaheed found that anti-Semitic incidents worldwide increased 13% from 2017 to 2018. He also noted various studies showing increased anxiety and fear among Jewish populations.

One survey, for example, found that 34% of European Jews said that they avoided visiting Jewish events or sites due to fear of attacks, and 38% considered moving to another country "because they did not feel safe as Jews." To fight this resurgence of anti-Semitism, Shaheed called for greater education to engage the younger generation.

This is one area where Christians United for Israel is actively involved through its CUFI On Campus ministry. And, as I noted in Friday's report, CUFI also hosts many "Night to Honor Israel" events around the country bringing Christian and Jewish communities together to celebrate our shared values.

As CUFI founder and chairman Pastor John Hagee has said many times, anti-Semitism is a sin and it's not just a Jewish problem. It's everyone's problem.

In my capacity as a commissioner on the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF), I led a Commission seminar on Capitol Hill this summer about the growing threat of anti-Semitism in the United States and around the world. You can watch the video here.

Please pray for the peace of Jerusalem. Share these reports with friends and family members. And make plans now to join CUFI June 28th-30th for the 2020 Washington Summit!

Gantz Gets His Chance

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu today reportedly informed Israeli President Reuven Rivlin that he is unable to form a government. Rivlin is expected to give the mandate to form a coalition government to Blue and White party leader Benny Gantz later this week.

According to the Jerusalem Post, Gantz will have 28 days to try to form a government. If he cannot, there will be 21-day period in which any member of the Knesset can attempt to cobble together a coalition of 61 votes. If no one succeeds at the end of that 21-day period, then new elections will be called.

Chag Same'ach

CUFI Action Fund wishes all of our Jewish friends and supporters celebrating Simchat Torah a happy and joyous holiday!