Israel and the United States are both democracies
that hold liberty in the highest regard. Moreover,
Israel is the sole democracy in the Middle East. In
our respective regions and throughout the world, we
are examples of the democratic values of peace, freedom,
and justice.
As democracies, both Israel and the United States
are committed to freedom, equality and tolerance
for all people regardless of religion, race
or gender. Freedoms of conscience, speech, assembly
and press are embedded in the fabric of both
American and Israeli society.
While
Israel was established as a homeland for the
Jewish people, Israeli society is a mosaic of
many peoples including Jews, Arabs, Druze and
Circassians. All Israeli citizens enjoy full
and equal rights.
The
alliance between Israel and the United States
will always endure because it is built upon
a solid foundation of shared democratic values.
Top: Justices sitting on the Israeli Supreme Court.
Above: Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin addresses a reception
in the U.S. Capitol marking the 3000th anniversary
of Jerusalem. He is joined by President Bill Clinton
and Mrs. Leah Rabin.
