Today. 10 years after that momentous and epochmaking event. it is abundantly clear that their courage paid off. In a single decade Israel has moved from a struggling newborn state to a powerful political and cultural force in the Middle East. Israel is not only a safe haven for refugee Jews. but also a model democratic state in a sea of ancient feudal countries. Our friendship and respect for Israel continued as we have seen the desert blossom and a democratic society spring up in a part of the world that knows mostly feudal and autocratic governments. It is widely recognized that Israel has used American foreign aid to better advantage than any other state in the Middle East.