Obama: US stood by Israel from start, will continue to do so

On the occassion of Israel's 65th anniversary, world leaders sent greetings and messages of congratulations, among them US President Barack Obama.

Wrote Obama, "On behalf of the American people, I congratulate the people of Israel on the 65th anniversary of Israel's independence on April 16." He added, "Sixty-five years ago, the United States was the first country to recognize Israel as an independent state, just eleven minutes after the State of Israel was proclaimed. since then our political, economic, security, and cultural ties have only grown stronger." (Noam Dvir)