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Christians United for Israel

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Christians United for Israel logo

Christians United for Israel (CUFI) is an American Christian organization that supports Israel. Its statement of purpose is; "to provide a national association through which every pro-Israel church, parachurch organization, ministry or individual in America can speak and act with one voice in support of Israel in matters related to Biblical issues." As a Christian Zionist group with over 10 million members,[1][2] it is the largest Zionist organization in the United States.[3] It operates under the leadership of John Hagee as founder and chairman,[4] along with Diana Hagee and Shari Dollinger as co-executive directors.[5]

History

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"Christians United for Israel" was originally established in 1975 by Dr. David A. Lewis. The evangelical minister John Hagee sought and received permission from Lewis to use the title for his own organization.[citation needed] Hagee called upon Christian leaders in America to join him in launching his new initiative. Over 400 pastors and ministry leaders, from various denominations and churches voiced support and Christians United for Israel was created.[6] Hagee would legally incorporate the revived organization on February 7, 2006. Since its reorganization, it has operated out of San Antonio, Texas, where Hagee has long operated his own ministry.

The first college chapter of Christians United for Israel was established at California State University, Bakersfield.[7] At the 2011 CUFI Washington Summit, it was reported that "CUFI on Campus" chapters had been formed or were in the process of formation on over 75 college campuses and CUFI was reported to have a presence on 225 campuses.[8] As of November 2017, when CUFI Action Fund Chairwoman Sandra Hagee Parker testified before Congress during a hearing examining evidence of anti-Semitism on college campuses, CUFI on Campus reported 200 established chapters across the nation with an active presence on over 300 campuses. Parker testified that CUFI on Campus has trained over 3500 students since the campus program began in 2008.[9]

In March 2012, the number of members passed one million, a milestone that meant CUFI was the largest US-based pro-Israel organization.[10] By January 2015, the membership passed two million.[11] As of December 2018, CUFI's membership had grown to over 5.1 million people.[12]

In April 2018, the executive director position at CUFI changed hands for the first time since its founding. After founding Executive Director David Brog stepped down and took an alternate position as Director of Strategic Affairs for CUFI, the executive board chose two women to fill the position as Co-Executive Directors. Diana Hagee, wife of CUFI founder and Chairman John Hagee, and Shari Dollinger, a Jewish woman who had been the Associate Director of CUFI since 2007, assumed joint responsibility for leading the day-to-day operations of Christians United for Israel.

Activities

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Mike Pence speaks at the 2019 Washington Summit

A Night to Honor Israel

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CUFI hosts "Nights to Honor Israel" events in cities across the United States to express Christian solidarity with the State of Israel and the Jewish people.[13] Such "Night to Honor Israel" events have often sought to include members of local Jewish communities.[14] Funds raised are often given to the local Jewish federations to assist with efforts in Israel.

Washington/Israel Summit

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CUFI holds an annual summit to enable delegates to personally speak with their representatives on behalf of Israel. In response to particular current events, CUFI also mobilizes its members through Rapid Response Alerts to raise popular support for Israel and lobby the U.S. Congress in support of Israel.[citation needed] On July 17, 2017, Vice President Mike Pence spoke to thousands of CUFI members at the annual CUFI Washington DC Summit's Night to Honor Israel ceremony.[15]

National Night to Honor Israel 2008, 2009, 2010

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On July 22 CUFI held their 2008 National Night to Honor Israel. Ambassador Dan Gillerman, Pastor John Hagee and Senator Joseph Lieberman (I-Conn.) spoke with live music interludes. For the first time CUFI hosted several prominent Catholic leaders in a show of unity between Pastor Hagee and the Catholic Church. CUFI held an annual Washington Summit July 20–23, 2009. Israeli PM Netanyahu addressed the gathering by video conference at the Washington Summit in 2010.[16]

Daughters for Zion

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Daughters for Zion is a Christian prayer ministry that is part of the Christians United for Israel Organization (CUFI), a national association for every church, organization, christian ministry, or individual in the United States who wants to speak and act in support of the State of Israel. In August 2007, the CUFI organization implemented the Daughters for Zion association, whose mission is to organize a national network of prayer for Israel in every major city in the United States of America. These prayer groups can be implemented in the church, at home, in the office, or in any appropriate place for worship. The Daughters of Zion association was created under the leadership of the Protestant pastor John Hagee and the female pastor Lynn Hammond.[17]

CUFI on Campus

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The first university chapter of Christians United for Israel was established at the California State University, in Bakersfield, California, and was called CUFI on Campus. Plans were also made to create more similar chapters on other US campuses. In 2011 at the CUFI annual meeting in Washington, D.C., it was announced that several chapters of CUFI on Campus had been formed, and that new chapters were in the process of being formed on more than 75 campuses and that the CUFI organization was present on 225 campuses across the country.[18]

CUFI Summit 2019

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Christians United for Israel hosted a summit on July 8, 2019 in Washington, D.C. The summit hosted the founder John Hagee, Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and US Vice President Mike Pence as speakers.[19]

Positions

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At CUFI's 4th annual convention, CUFI Florida state director Scott Thomas, who is senior pastor at Without Walls Central in Lakeland, Florida, states that CUFI's support of Israel is not related to Christian eschatology (one of the features of dispensationalism, which holds that the modern state of Israel has a central role in bringing about the second coming of Jesus Christ) since Christians believe that there is nothing they can do to speed up that process. Thomas also cited Chapter 12 of Book of Genesis, which states that God will bless those who bless the Jews and curses those who curse the Jews, and said that his Christian faith couldn't exist without the foundation of Judaism.[20] CUFI partners with Jewish interfaith organizations such as the Center for Jewish-Christian Understanding and Cooperation (CJCUC).[21]

In November 2012, the group filed a petition calling for Twitter and the US government to "ban Hamas from Twitter."[22]

Executive Board

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  • Pastor John Hagee, Founder and National Chairman, CUFI
  • Pastor Scott Thomas, Free Life Chapel, CUFI Florida State Director
  • Bishop Keith A Butler, Founder and Pastor, Word of Faith International Christian Center
  • Pastor Happy Caldwell, Founder and Pastor Agape Church, Founder Victory Television Network
  • Pastor Mac Hammond, Senior Pastor, Living Word Christian Center
  • Michael Little, Principle Representative to Israel, The Christian Broadcasting Network
  • Pastor George Morrison, Founder, Truth and Life Ministries[23]

Prior to his death in 2007, Rev. Jerry Falwell sat on the Executive Board.

CUFI Canada

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CUFI UK

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CUFI UK was started in 2015.[26]

Criticism

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Christians United for Israel (CUFI) has faced various criticisms and controversies from religious groups, political commentators, and advocacy organizations.

End Times Theology and Christian Zionism

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Many Christians, particularly those from mainline Protestant denominations and some Catholic circles, have criticized CUFI’s embrace of Christian Zionism, which is tied to a specific eschatological interpretation of the Bible. This theology often views the establishment and expansion of the state of Israel as a fulfillment of biblical prophecy. Critics argue that this theological framework prioritizes political events over justice and peace for all people in the region, including Palestinians, and distorts Christian ethics. Some also accuse CUFI of supporting Israel primarily as part of a broader agenda to hasten the Second Coming of Christ, rather than out of a genuine concern for Jewish welfare. These criticisms have been voiced by organizations such as the Middle East Council of Churches and prominent theologians within the Anglican and Catholic Churches.[27][28]

Views on the Israel-Palestine Conflict

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CUFI has been criticized for its unconditional support of Israeli government policies, regardless of actions seen as violations of international law or human rights, such as settlement expansion and the treatment of Palestinians. Critics argue that this stance ignores the complexities of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and dismisses the legitimate concerns of Palestinian Christians and Muslims. Additionally, CUFI’s opposition to a two-state solution and its rejection of land concessions to Palestinians has been seen by some as undermining efforts for long-term peace in the region. Jewish organizations such as J Street have expressed concerns over CUFI’s positions, accusing them of promoting policies that exacerbate tensions rather than fostering reconciliation.[29][30]

Controversial Statements by John Hagee

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CUFI’s founder, John Hagee, has faced criticism for making controversial statements that have been interpreted as anti-Catholic, anti-Islamic, and antisemitic. One widely cited example is Hagee’s claim that Adolf Hitler was fulfilling God’s will by helping to bring Jews back to Israel as part of a divine plan, a comment for which he later apologized after widespread condemnation.[31] Hagee’s statements emphasizing the exclusivity of Christianity for salvation have also raised concerns, particularly among interfaith organizations and Jewish leaders, who worry that CUFI’s support for Israel may be intertwined with proselytizing efforts, despite the group’s official stance against such activities.[32]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ Savage, Sean (9 March 2021). "How CUFI has awakened the 'sleeping giant' of Christian Zionism". Jewish News Syndicate. Retrieved 5 September 2022.
  2. ^ Kornbluh, Jacob (8 May 2022). "He was the head of Christians United for Israel. Now he's running as a Jewish candidate for Congress". The Forward. Retrieved 5 September 2022.
  3. ^ Rubin, Jennifer (2 August 2010). "Onward, Christian Zionists". Archived from the original on 26 July 2010.
  4. ^ Parke, Caleb (26 July 2018). "Evangelicals cheer Trump administration's pro-Israel policies". Fox News. Retrieved 9 June 2019.
  5. ^ "Jewish woman, founder's wife to helm Christians United for Israel". Jewish Telegraphic Agency. 18 April 2018. Retrieved 21 May 2018.
  6. ^ "Mission". Christians United For Israel. Retrieved 17 November 2023.
  7. ^ Michael Lando (14 May 2007). "Christians to train in Israel advocacy". The Jerusalem Post. Retrieved 23 May 2008.
  8. ^ Winchester, John (17 July 2011). Establishing A CUFI Chapter on Your Campus (Speech). CUFI on Campus Student Advocacy Day. Washington, D.C.
  9. ^ Parker, Sandra (7 November 2017). "Examining Anti-Semitism on College Campuses" (PDF). House Judiciary Committee. Archived from the original (PDF) on 22 May 2018. Retrieved 21 May 2018.
  10. ^ Hillary Zaken (18 March 2012). "Evangelical group to welcome millionth Israel supporter". The Times of Israel. Retrieved 18 March 2012.
  11. ^ "Christians United for Israel Reaches Two Million Members - Christians United for Israel - We speak and act with one voice in support of Israel". Christians United for Israel. Archived from the original on 25 February 2017. Retrieved 6 February 2017.
  12. ^ "Pro-Israel Christian group tops 5 million members". Retrieved 15 May 2018.
  13. ^ "Christians United for Israel has hundreds of Nights to Honor Israel in cities across America". Christians United for Israel. 2010. Archived from the original on 10 February 2011. Retrieved 26 February 2011.
  14. ^ Jenna Mitelman (2 May 2010). "A Jewish Girl Walks Into a Church -- a Jewish view of a "Night to Honor Israel"". TC Jewfolk. Retrieved 25 April 2011.
  15. ^ "Mike Pence to CUFI: I Support Israel Because I Am a Christian". CBN News. 18 July 2017. Retrieved 15 May 2018.
  16. ^ Keinon, Herb (17 December 2017). "Netanyahu thanks United States for 'defending Israel's truth'". The Jerusalem Post | JPost.com. Retrieved 7 March 2018.
  17. ^ "Welcome". Daughters for Zion Prayer Network.
  18. ^ Hillary Zaken (18 March 2012). "Evangelical group to welcome millionth Israel supporter". The Times of Israel.
  19. ^ "Faith leaders disrupt U.S. Vice President Mike Pence during CUFI summit". Religion News.
  20. ^ "Christian Zionist parley: Don't pressure Israel" Archived 26 July 2009 at the Wayback Machine by Eric Fingerhut, Jewish Telegraphic Agency (JTA), July 23, 2009.
  21. ^ "Riskin: CUFI Convention is a Historic Revolution". The Center for Jewish–Christian Understanding and Cooperation. 19 August 2012. Retrieved 7 March 2018.
  22. ^ Gur, Haviv Rettig; Wootliff, Raoul; Bachner, Michael (20 November 2012). "Christian Zionists try to ban Hamas from Twitter". The Times of Israel. Retrieved 7 March 2018.
  23. ^ CUFI official website https://www.cufi.org/impact/leadership/executive-board/Archived 12 February 2009 at the Wayback Machine
  24. ^ "A Word from the Dean". Canada Christian College. Archived from the original on 22 December 2015. Retrieved 11 December 2015.
  25. ^ "New CEO of CUFI Canada, Dr. Frank Dimant, Welcomed by Pastor John Hagee". Canada Free Press. 26 January 2015. Retrieved 30 June 2015.
  26. ^ Frazer, Jenni (29 May 2015). "Amid rising national anti-Semitism, British evangelicals step up". The Times of Israel. Retrieved 6 June 2019.
  27. ^ Wagner, Donald E. Anxious for Armageddon: A Call to Partnership for Middle Eastern and Western Christians. Herald Press, 1995.
  28. ^ Sizer, Stephen. Christian Zionism: Road-map to Armageddon?. InterVarsity Press, 2004.
  29. ^ "CUFI and Christian Zionism: A Primer." The Middle East Research and Information Project (MERIP). Available at: [1](https://merip.org/).
  30. ^ Munayer, Salim J., and Lisa Loden. Through My Enemy's Eyes: Envisioning Reconciliation in Israel-Palestine. Wipf and Stock, 2014.
  31. ^ Kirkpatrick, David D. "McCain Rejects Pastor’s Support Over Remarks." The New York Times, May 22, 2008. Available at: [2](https://www.nytimes.com/2008/05/22/us/politics/22mccain.html).
  32. ^ Weber, Timothy P. On the Road to Armageddon: How Evangelicals Became Israel's Best Friend. Baker Academic, 2004.
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