Israeli Consul General Yaron Sideman visited Cohn Jewish Student Center Tuesday night to tell listeners that a connection between nations, especially between the United States and Israel, is a great asset.

“Israel has no better ally than the United States,” Sideman said. “We can’t take that support or friendship for granted. It is rooted in deep seeded values.”

Sideman, who is one of nine Israeli Consul General’s in the nation, works to enhance American/Israeli relations by connecting with local communities.

Maintaining bipartisan support from the United States is crucial, he said.

“While Israel is a very stable democratic island in the Middle East, it is surrounded by many unstable neighbors,” said Sideman. “One of the most important assets that Israel has at this time is a close and intimate relationship with the United States.”

The conflicts between Israel and Palestine over territorial, religious and political disagreements made Sideman thankful to have the United States as such a close supporter.

Bobby Weitzner, president of Golden Flashes for Israel, said that having such a high-ranking diplomat come to Kent State was a great opportunity.

“Given the close relationship with the United States and Israel, and the election today in Israel, we thought it was important to discuss as a student body,” Weitzner said Tuesday night.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was elected in the Israeli election and his party, the Likud party, emerged as the largest faction, according to the Associated Press.

Sideman not only talked about international relations, but also about Israeli politics and how a correlation between religion and politics is important to Israel.

“Prayers relate to a history,” Sideman said. “People who are attuned to their past will thrive in the future.”

Contact Amanda Marker at [email protected].