Headlines National Ron Kampeas NATIONAL HARBOR, Maryland — Sandra Parker was going over talking points with 3,000 Christians United for Israel activists before they headed to Capitol Hill to lobby their representatives. She delivered the usual cautions: Be punctual, be polite, be thankful. But Parker, the chairwoman of the CUFI Action Fund, the political advocacy arm of the movement, allowed the activists one pass for rudeness when she wrapped up the annual CUFI summit on Tuesday at a Maryland resort just outside of Washington.
If they speak to right-wing Republicans who cite scripture to oppose legislation that defines antisemitism, she suggested a retort: “You’re a fundamentally unserious person, aren’t you?” Parker, the daughter of CUFI founder Pastor John Hagee, knew what the response would be. “They probably won’t like that,” she said, as chuckles rippled through the ballroom. It was a stark contrast to Parker’s advice on dealing with liberal Democrats — explain patiently — or even with the pro-Palestinian activists who the night before had paddled by on the Potomac bearing a banner saying “CUFI kills.
” (Ignore and avoid them, was her counsel.) The palpable disdain for isolationist Republicans stood out at CUFI, a stronghold for conservatives despite being nominally nonpartisan. Multiple speakers at this year’s conference openly stumped for Donald Trump’s return to the presidency, to thunderous applause.
The rise of Republican far right-wing.