2025-11-10 11:40:PM <br/> Tags: #Organization #AmericanJewry #ChristianZionism #Lobby #KeyOrganizations ![[image-171.png]] # Christians United For Israel (CUFI) - Christians United For Israel, known as CUFI, is an American Christian Zionist organization. - CUFI is led by its founder and frontman [[John Hagee]]. - CUFI is the largest pro-Israel organization in the United States by membership, with over 10 million members. - CUFI is a very hawkish organization, with many ties to [[Neoconservatism]] and the American right wing political establishment. - CUFI can be seen as a Christian parallel to the [[Zionist Organization of America (ZOA)]] in its positions and tactics. - CUFI's near-worship of Israel is based on a dispensationalist reading of Biblical end-times prophecy where Jews, Israel, and Jerusalem play a critical role. - *Despite the Christian Zionist devotion to Jews and Israel, Jews are often disturbed by Christian Zionists.* - "The Jewish people are a cherished people. they are a chosen people. God chose those people... If you start picking on Israel, you're sticking your finger in the eye of God." - [CUFI leader John Hagee 2024](https://youtube.com/shorts/iQzcwOMtPU0?si=Mggr2R5p6WocjkJU). *This is the classic tenor of CUFI and Christian Zionists more broadly. They commonly spout overused lines about "those who bless Israel..." Christian Zionism is shockingly low effort, held up on flimsy stilts in the form of misconstrued and cheap Biblical appeals. Nevertheless, Christian Zionism is a vital tool for Israeli influence in the United States.* - In 2025, [Hagee spoke](https://www.instagram.com/reel/DQKK4D5jUR6/) at a CUFI event stating, "[Jews] are a special treasure, above all the people on the face of the earth. That includes the United States of America [applause erupts]." #### Founding - CUFI was founded in 2006 by televangelist-megachurch pastor [[John Hagee]]. - [[David Brog]], an Orthodox Jew with an Israeli wife, also helped to found CUFI. - Brog is a third cousin of former Israeli Prime Minister, [[Ehud Barak]]. - CUFI was founded in San Antonio, Texas, and is headquartered there. - CUFI's formation coincided with the [[2006 Israel-Lebanon War]], which CUFI strongly supported. - CUFI's primary mission is to "educate" American Christians with pro-Israel messaging. - CUFI considers Christian support for Israel as a pillar of the Bible and Christianity. #### Lobbying - In 2013, CUFI founded its 501(c)(4) lobbying arm, CUFI Action Fund. - [Sources](https://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/christians-united-for-israel-cufi#:~:text=In%202020%2C%20CUFI%20established%20the%20CUFI%20Action%20Fund) note 2020 as the year the Action Fund was launched. This is likely indicating a rebrand or public expansion, given the initial [2013](https://www.causeiq.com/organizations/christians-united-for-israel-action-fund%2C461868892/\#:~:text=Form%20990-,Year%20formed,2013,-Eligible%20to%20receive) founding. - The CUFI Action Fund is led by [[Gary Bauer]]. - The CUFI Action Fund is entirely committed to lobbying on behalf of Israel, and pro-Israel Middle East measures. - CUFI often joins with the major Jewish lobbying organizations like [[AIPAC]], [[Zionist Organization of America (ZOA)]], and the [[Jewish Federations of North America (JFNA)]]. - The CUFI Action Fund claims victory through successfully passed/proposed legislation and executive action including: - [[Donald Trump]] moving the U.S. Embassy in Israel to Jerusalem. *CUFI frontman, John Hagee, delivered the closing benediction at the opening of the U.S Jerusalem Embassy in May, 2018. * - Donald Trump cutting aid to the Palestinian Authority and the UNRWA humanitarian organization. - Donald Trump recognizing Israeli sovereignty over the Golan Heights. - Antisemitism Awareness Act of 2025 - legislation introduced to the Senate in February, 2025. The AAA will force the [[International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA)]] definition of antisemitism on the U.S. Department of Education. - The [[2020 Never Again Education Act]] which expanded funding for [[United States Holocaust Memorial Museum (USHMM)]] "education programming." - "Defeating BDS in several states." - BDS is a movement advocating for Boycott, Divest, and Sanction of Israel. - "Protected Jewish students on college campuses through our support of President Trump’s executive order mandating the [[International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA)]] definition of antisemitism as US policy." - CUFI doubles down, declaring that given their "success" at the federal level, the [[International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA)]] definition of antisemitism should be adopted by all states as well. - Increased scope of the Nonprofit Security Grant Program (NSGP) - The NSGP is a creation of the [[Jewish Federations of North America (JFNA)]] and the [[Conference of Presidents]] in the early 2000s. *The NSGP overwhelmingly funds Jewish organizations and security for North American Jews.* - Various measures providing military aid to Israel. - Various anti-Iran measures and executive actions. #### Washington Summit ![[image-176.png|801x452]] *[[Mark Levin]] and [[John Hagee]] at the 20th annual CUFI Washington Summit in July, 2025.* - CUFI's premier annual event is its Washington Summit, a multi-day conference held annually in July. - The Washington Summit is a highly polished fundraising and lobbying event. - The Summit hosts the biggest names in pro-Israel media and politics. - Past CUFI Washington Summit speakers and attendees include: - [[Mark Levin]] - [[Ted Cruz]] - Lindsey Graham - Mike Pence - [[Shabbos Kestenbaum]] - [[Aryeh Lightstone]] - [[Jonathan Schanzer]] - [[Benjamin Netanyahu]] - [[Bill Kristol]] - [[James Woolsey]] - [[Mike Huckabee]] - Jeb Bush - [[Ron Dermer]] - [[Elliott Abrams]] - Tom Cotton - John McCain - [[Gary Bauer]] - [[Joe Lieberman]] - [[Dennis Prager]] - [[Daniel Pipes]] - [[Charles Jacobs]] - Many Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) senior officials. - Many Jewish rabbis and religious figures. - During the Summit, CUFI hosts its "Night to Honor Israel," "Daughters for Zion Conference," and closes with a donor banquet. #### CUFI Within Organized Jewry - CUFI plays an important role within American organized Jewry. - At a minimum CUFI permits Christian and Gentile support for Israel. - CUFI, and Christian Zionism more broadly are numerically the most significant pro-Israel constituency in the United States. - CUFI advances Israeli-interest and Israeli influence in the United States in the name of the Christ, a perverse twist on a very familiar and personal part of American life. - While CUFI fights on behalf of Israel publicly, it becomes a double edged sword against the most feared Jewish opponent, Christianity. CUFI attempts to consume the market share of evangelical Christianity, thereby extinguishing Israel-critical or Israel-indifferent Christians. CUFI attempts to canonize Christian support for Israel, making the CUFI stances "default" Christianity. *To my fellow American Christians, as you grew up in the Church, did you feel the subtle understanding that we Christians automatically support Israel? I did.* - In 2008, the [[ADL]] and its frontman, [[Abraham Foxman]], distanced themselves from [[John Hagee]] and CUFI after resurfaced comments by Hagee claiming God sent the holocaust so Jews would make Israel. - Hagee profusely apologized to Foxman and ADL-CUFI relations warmed. - CUFI's natural allies within organized American Jewry are the [[Zionist Organization of America (ZOA)]], the [[Republican Jewish Coalition (RJC)]], the [[American Friends of Likud]], etc. #### CUFI in Israel ![[image-175.png|603x377]] *[[Ron Dermer]], [[David Friedman]], and [[John Hagee]], Jerusalem 2018. All three are American born. Clearly 3 American patriots!* - CUFI falls in the camp of the Israeli right wing. - CUFI does not support any form of a Palestinian state. - CUFI advocates for Israel to annex the occupied territories. - CUFI is very hawkish, supporting U.S. military intervention on behalf of Israel. - CUFI supports Israeli settler expansion. - CUFI is very warm with the Israeli [[Likud]] party. - CUFI operates a "CUFI Pastors' Israel Experience," which brings Christian pastors on trips to Israel with highly structured itineraries. - The CUFI Pastor's Israel Experience requires pastors who attend to hold a CUFI event at their church. - CUFI leadership [receives briefings](https://www.jns.org/netanyahu-meets-evangelical-leaders-ahead-of-congress-address/#:~:text=evangelical%20leaders.%20Among%20those%20in%20attendance%20were%20Christians%20United%20for%20Israel%20(CUFI)%20Pastor%20John%20Hagee%2C) from the Israeli government to coordinate messaging. - In 2020 it was discovered that CUFI was a major recipient of undisclosed Israeli government funding. - The Jewish newspaper *[[The Forward]]* broke the story, revealing CUFI as the recipient of ~$1.3 million from the Israeli [[Ministry of Strategic Affairs]] in 2019. - The funds were concealed through Concert, a shell company of the Israeli [[Ministry of Strategic Affairs]]. - Concert's purpose was to fund pro-Israel messaging and influence operations in the diaspora, primarily in the United States. - “In the end, you see a bank transfer from a non-profit organization, and not a bank transfer from the Israeli government. That’s the idea.” - Ronen Manelis, director of the Ministry of Strategic Affairs [at a July 2020 Knesset oversight hearing](https://forward.com/israel/453286/us-pro-israel-groups-failed-to-disclose-grants-from-israeli-government/#:~:text=%E2%80%9CIn%20the%20end%2C%20you%20see%20a%20bank%20transfer%20from%20a%20non%2Dprofit%20organization%2C%20and%20not%20a%20bank%20transfer%20from%20the%20Israeli%20government.%20That%E2%80%99s%20the%20idea.). #### Funding and Major Donors - [[Bernard Marcus]] through the [[Marcus Foundation]]. - [[Sheldon Adelson]] and [[Miriam Adelson]] - Major backers, millions of dollars since 2012. - The Adelson's [[Maccabee Task Force]] has also contributed $150,000 in 2015.[^2] *CUFI's director David Brog departed from CUFI in 2015 to lead Maccabee.* - State of Israel through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs - At least $1 million as [discovered in 2020](https://forward.com/israel/453286/us-pro-israel-groups-failed-to-disclose-grants-from-israeli-government/#:~:text=One%20of%20the%20most%20prominent%20beneficiaries%20of%20Concert%20funds%20%E2%80%94%20and%20of%20the%20foreign%2Dtravel%20disclosure%20loophole%20%E2%80%94%20was%20Christians%20United%20for%20Israel%2C%20the%20largest%20pro%2DIsrael%20group%20in%20America%2C%20which%20was%20awarded%20nearly%20%241.3%20million%20in%20February%202019). *More on this under the CUFI in Israel header.* - [[Bob Shillman]] - At least $1.3m through his Shillman Foundation since 2012. - [[Adam Milstein]] - at least $77,000[^1] #### Notable Figures ![[image-173.png|682x383]] *John Hagee, CUFI frontman, 2008. Photo - Sebastian Scheiner, [Source](https://www.motherjones.com/politics/2023/11/john-hagee-hitler-israel-rally-christian-zionist/)*. - [[David Brog]] - Co-founder and executive director from 2006-2015. - Brog brought his extensive connections in Washington, D.C. to CUFI. - Brog is a protégé/underling of [[Sheldon Adelson|Sheldon]] and [[Miriam Adelson|Miriam]] Adelson. - [[Gary Bauer]] - Director of CUFI's lobbying arm, CUFI action fund. - Shari Dollinger - Current co-executive director with John Hagee's wife Diana (2018-). - Dollinger formerly worked for the Israeli Embassy in D.C. - Dollinger is a former [[AIPAC]] foreign policy research associate. - In an August, 2025 [publication](https://jewishfuturepromise.org/promiser-spotlight-shari-dollinger/#:~:text=Both%20our%20identity,bond%20is%20eternal.) Dollinger, an American Jew, stated, "Anyone who has ever had the blessing of being in Israel knows this feeling, a pull, a deep sense of belonging... Being in Israel allows you to live out your Judaism in a tangible, holistic way. At our core, we are from the tribe of Judah. We are indigenous to the land of Israel, and that bond is eternal." #RedPill *This sentiment is widespread within American and global Jewry. Yet to assert the obvious, that many Jews are dually, or singularly, loyal to Israel, is considered a bridge too far.* #### Recommended Reading - The Israel Lobby - John Mearsheimer and Stephen Walt #### References - Christians United for Israel. “Home.” CUFI. [https://cufi.org/](https://cufi.org/). - Tol Staff. “Top Pro-Israel Evangelical Leader Sees ‘Wellspring’ of Support for Jewish State.” _The Times of Israel_, May 14, 2018. [https://www.timesofisrael.com/top-pro-israel-evangelical-leader-sees-wellspring-of-support-for-jewish-state/](https://www.timesofisrael.com/top-pro-israel-evangelical-leader-sees-wellspring-of-support-for-jewish-state/). - Kornbluh, Jacob. “He Was the Head of Christians United for Israel. Now He’s Running as a Jewish Candidate for Congress.” _Forward_, May 8, 2022. [https://www.forward.com/news/501610/david-brog-nevada-election-christians-united-for-israel-congress/](https://www.forward.com/news/501610/david-brog-nevada-election-christians-united-for-israel-congress/). *Info on David Brog*. - Militarist Monitor. “Christians United for Israel (CUFI).” _Militarist Monitor_, May 27 2018. [https://militarist-monitor.org/profile/christians_united_for_israel](https://militarist-monitor.org/profile/christians_united_for_israel). - “Christians United for Israel Action Fund.” _Cause IQ_. [https://www.causeiq.com/organizations/christians-united-for-israel-action-fund%2C461868892](https://www.causeiq.com/organizations/christians-united-for-israel-action-fund%2C461868892). - United States Senate. “S. 558 - Antisemitism Awareness Act of 2025.” 119th Congress, 2025. [https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/senate-bill/558](https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/senate-bill/558). - Christians United for Israel. “Policy Accomplishments.” CUFI, [https://cufi.org/about/policy/policy-accomplishments/](https://cufi.org/about/policy/policy-accomplishments/). - Berkowitz, Bill. “Hagee Hangs On.” _Religion Dispatches_, July 20, 2009. [https://religiondispatches.org/hagee-hangs-on/](https://religiondispatches.org/hagee-hangs-on/). - “Promiser Spotlight: Shari Dollinger.” _Jewish Future Promise_, August 11, 2025. [https://jewishfuturepromise.org/promiser-spotlight-shari-dollinger/](https://jewishfuturepromise.org/promiser-spotlight-shari-dollinger/). - Pink, Aiden. “U.S. Pro-Israel Groups Failed to Disclose Grants from the Israeli Government.” _Forward_, August 31, 2020. [https://www.forward.com/israel/453286/us-pro-israel-groups-failed-to-disclose-grants-from-israeli-government/](https://www.forward.com/israel/453286/us-pro-israel-groups-failed-to-disclose-grants-from-israeli-government/). *Covers Israeli covert funding of CUFI.* - “Shillman Foundation – Form 990-PF (fiscal year ending Dec. 2021).” _Nonprofit Explorer by ProPublica_, [https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/43511089/202243049349100514/IRS990PF](https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/43511089/202243049349100514/IRS990PF). *Covers donations from Bob Shillman* - Cronin, David; Marusek, Sarah; and Miller, David. _The Israel Lobby and the European Union_. Portsmouth, UK: University of Bath, 2016. [https://purehost.bath.ac.uk/ws/portalfiles/portal/167838098/PII_IsraelLobbyEUreport2016_Cronin_Marusek_Miller.pdf](https://purehost.bath.ac.uk/ws/portalfiles/portal/167838098/PII_IsraelLobbyEUreport2016_Cronin_Marusek_Miller.pdf). *Covers a number of CUFI donors.* - Betancourt, Gabriela Noa, and Molly Gott. “The Wealthy Donors Behind Christians United for Israel.” _LittleSis News_, December 19 2023. [https://littlesis.org/news/the-wealthy-donors-behind-christians-united-for-israel/](https://littlesis.org/news/the-wealthy-donors-behind-christians-united-for-israel/). [^1]: _Adam Milstein_, SourceWatch, [https://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=Adam_Milstein](https://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=Adam_Milstein). [^2]: Maccabee Task Force Foundation, Form 990 for fiscal year ending December 2015, ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer, [https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/474908810/201602289349304570/full](https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/474908810/201602289349304570/full).