"The supreme commander of NATO operations in Europe and head of the U.S. European Command (EUCOM), John Craddock, has called Israel a "model state" and the United States' closest ally in the Middle East. Craddock, speaking before the U.S. House Armed Services Committee in Washington Thursday, said Israel consistently and directly supported U.S. interests by means of security cooperation and understanding U.S. policy in the region." (thanks Mouin)