President Truman (left) was the first world leader to recognize the new state of Israel in 1948.
David Ben Gurion declares independence.
For the past 60 years, Israel has been a sanctuary of democracy and pluralism in a region dominated by authoritarian regimes. Israel is the only country in the Middle East with free elections, a free press, freedom of religion, equal rights for women, protection of minority rights and other safeguards typical of a free society. Amid constant threat, Israel constantly works to protect its citizens while upholding the values that make the Jewish state a true Western-style democracy like the United States.
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Israel: A Beacon of Democracy in the Middle East
Freedom of Religion in Israel
Israel as a Country of Immigrants
Women in Israel: Equal and Vital to the Jewish State
President Shimon Peres welcomes President Bush to Israel.
With American backing, Israel has remained committed to making peace throughout its history, repeatedly demonstrating its desire to live side-by-side with the Palestinians and Arab states. Even before the founding of the state of Israel 60 years ago, the early Zionists sought peace with their Arab neighbors. While Israel continues to seek peace, America and Israel also are working together on creating new technologies to combat terrorists and protect their homelands.
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Israel’s Quest for Peace
America and Israel Work Together to Fight Terror
America and Israel Unite for Homeland Security Cooperation
Israel's hi-tech innovations have impacted the entire world.
Before it had even established embassies in many world capitals, Israel sent experts abroad to teach Third World nations such skills as how to upgrade medical facilities, improve schools and coax crops from arid land. Israel’s high-tech civil innovations have left an important mark on homes, offices and businesses around the world—not to mention the Internet. Today, Israel constitutes one of the world’s leading incubators of technology, life sciences, and eco-friendly products leading to a cleaner world, and serves as one of America’s premier Middle East trading partners.
Learn more about:
Israel’s Support for Third-World Nations
Israeli High-Tech Contributions Throughout the World
Israel’s Work in Agriculture and the Life Sciences
Israel Fights for a Cleaner World
U.S.-Israel Trade: A Flourishing Relationship
AIPAC's top backgrounders on the issues that matter most.
In a series of floor speeches, members of Congress are applauding Israel’s 60th anniversary and its many contributions to the world.
Hamas has fired more than 4,000 rockets and mortars at Israel since the Jewish state withdrew from Gaza in 2005. Learn more about life under fire.
Read an exclusive AIPAC monograph about how Presidents Bush and Clinton reshaped the U.S.-Israel relationship during the past 15 years.
Read AIPAC’s comprehensive guide to the U.S.-Israel relationship and the important challenges facing U.S. Middle East policy.
