Why Israel Matters

Israel's election to decide who will lead it, and in what direction, is much in the news -- and will continue to be in the coming days.

So much so that it's inevitable many Americans will be asking, "What does it matter? Why should I care? How, if in any way, does it affect me, my family and my country?"

The short answer is, it does matter. And the reason every American should care is because what happens in, around and to Israel directly affects America's national security interests, and the interests of world peace and stability.

Israel is small but mighty. We Americans have helped to make it so. We have helped because we believed it was the right thing to do, but also because we have known that it was in our best interest to do so.

We also have helped Egypt and others in the Middle East, but none so much as Israel. One of the main reasons has been that Israel is both a friend and an ally of the United States -- and has been so, steadfastly, since the nation was formed in the wake of World War II. And, yes, we have been a strong friend and ally of Israel's.

From time to time, there have been stresses and strains, as will happen between friends and allies. And there are bound to be more in the future, especially as the future of the Middle East peace process and of Jerusalem remain at the forefront of world concern.

But by any objective analysis, the friendship and alliance between the United States and Israel is a key to world peace and prosperity, and to the mutual security of both countries.