The modern State of Israel was established as the homeland of the Jewish people in 1948. Based on the principles of Zionism - that Jews must have their own country to survive - Israel has served as a refuge for Jews the world over and has been built on the values of freedom and democracy, fulfilling both a political and historic imperative. A mere 60 years after its establishment, Israel has emerged as a thriving democracy, a global leader in the areas of technology, agriculture and medicine and one of the staunchest allies of the United States.