Howard Berman: “Since the founding of the State of Israel sixty two years ago, the United States has had no greater friend in the Middle…”

“Since the founding of the State of Israel sixty two years ago, the United States has had no greater friend in the Middle East. The U.S.-Israeli friendship is based on shared democratic values, progress, and our hope for peace between nations. This friendship is buttressed by our nation's unshakeable commitment to Israel's security. Since its founding in 1948, Israel has spurned the authoritarian model that dominates its region and has built a world-class civilization: a vibrant democracy, a thriving economy, and a culturally and academically rich society. Israel produces more scientific papers per capita than any other nation. Nearly a quarter of the Israeli workforce holds university degrees, ranking Israel third in that category in the industrialized world, after the United States and Holland. Israel also claims one of the world's highest numbers of books and museums per capita. Over the last sixty two years Israel has become a global leader in medicine and technology. Israeli medicine and medical equipment is exported world wide. And Israeli technologies are protecting and assisting U.S. military personnel deployed around the globe. High-tech companies are rushing to get an Israeli presence. In addition to boasting the highest density of start-ups in the world (a total of 3,850 start-ups, one for every 1,844 Israelis), more Israeli companies are listed on the NASDAQ exchange than all companies from the entire European continent.”