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
|
|
|
