interests, although we do both seek a region where families and children can live free from the threat of violence. it s not simply because we face common dangers, although there can be no denying that terrorism and the spread of nuclear weapons are grave threats to both our nations. america s commitment to israel s security flows from a deeper place, and that s the values we share. as two people who struggled to win our freedom against overwhelming odds, we understand that preserving the security for which our forefathers and foremothers fought must be the work of every generation. as two vibrant democracies, we recognize that the liberties and freedoms we cherish must be constantly nurtured. and as the nation that recognized the state of israel moments after its independence, we have a profound commitment to its survival as a strong, secure homeland for the jewish people. we also know how difficult that search for security can be. especially for a small nation like israel,