Christians United for Israel Statement on J Street's Repeated Attacks on Christian Zionism
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
By: System Administrator

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Christians United for Israel (CUFI) welcomes J Street’s acknowledgement of their error in asserting thatCUFI contributed to the Israeli based organizationIm Tirtzu, but is disappointed to see that J Street has failed to back up its words with actions by correcting the erroneous assertion on its website.

CUFIalso welcomes J Street’s desire to hold a discussion on “what policies are likely to ensure the survival of a democratic Israel as the national home of the Jewish people.” ButCUFI remains of the opinion that those policies should be made in Jerusalem and decided upon by the people of Israel. The Israelis have repeatedly demonstrated their willingness to take significant risks for peace. We reject the notion that they need J Street or any other American group to explain to them the realities of the Middle East.

CUFIwelcomes dialogue with all who come in good will. But we believe that promoting false stereotypes about Christian Zionists is hardly evidence of good will. J Street has repeatedly asserted that Christians support Israel to "precipitate" Armageddon, and Jeremy Ben Ami unfortunately repeats this allegation in his latest Op Ed. This is not only factually incorrect, it is theologically impossible. Worse, it is offensive to millions of Christians who know why they stand with Israel.

Finally, if J Street is serious about ending its attacks onCUFI and John Hagee, then it should stop mischaracterizing the donations made by JohnHagee Ministries (JHM). In particular they should acknowledge three crucial points:

1. The vast majority of the money thatJHM gives to Israel stays within the pre-1967 green line. In 2009, for example, donations to entities in the West Bank comprised less than five percent of the $9 millionJHM gave to Israeli causes.
2. What little money was given over the green line was given to those communities that almost all observers recognize will remain a part of Israel in any negotiated two-state compromise.
3. The funds given to these communities went to support social services such as schools, hospitals or youth/sports oriented facilities.

In our four years of existence, the only groups thatCUFI has attacked are terrorist groups devoted to the destruction of Israel. We view it as a distraction from far more important issues to have to defend ourselves from attacks by another advocacy organization. As soon as J Street demonstrates that it is sincere about ceasing its attacks on us and sitting down in dialogue, we will join them without hesitation.

Christians United for Israel, founded by Pastor John Hagee, is the nation’s leading Christian pro-Israel organization and is among the largest Christian grassroots organizations in the United States, spanning all fifty states and reaching millions with its message. The organization has held over 100 Night to Honor Israel events in cities across the country since its inception in 2006. These events teach Christians about the importance of supporting Israel and building bridges between the Christian and Jewish communities.

CUFI’smission 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.