The United States and Israel have always shared a passion for democracy. Both countries had similar foundations, established by a majority of immigrants claiming to create a better society, towards religious tolerance and democratic ideas. In 1948, the United States and the Soviet Union immediately recognized the State of Israel. At a time when these two nations often fought against each other to claim majority support and power for either ideology, the United States strongly acknowledged but limited its support for Israel in due to their alliances with Arab countries in the region and growing demand. for oil in the region. Many believed that Jews deserved sanctuary after the horrors that occurred during the Holocaust, so the creation of Israel was greatly supported by President Truman and his legal advisor, Clark Clifford. Some believed that this support was just a ploy to gain Jewish votes and that recognition of Israel could endanger U.S. access to Arab oil. Although Truman and Clifford strongly supported American recognition, much of the American government, including the State Department, the Department of Defense, and the CIA, was concerned about the Israeli declaration of independence. Critics like John Snetsinger have repeated this belief with nausea. Truman faced an election year, leading him to need the support of Jews, an overwhelming majority of whom were Jews rather than Arabs. Benson, a University of Utah analyst, believes that Truman's pro-Israel vision "was based on humanitarian, moral and sentimental reasons, many of which were the result of the president's religious upbringing and familiarity with with the Bible. Truman recognized Zion's influence...... middle of paper...... OBBY AND UNITED STATES FOREIGN POLICY. "THE ISRAEL LOBBY AND UNITED STATES FOREIGN POLICY Vol. 28.6 (2006). University of Chicago. Web. April 14, 2012. .Quandt, William. Decade of Decisions (London, England: University of California Press, 1977), 39-41, 66-69. Rebenberg, Cheryl A. Israel and the American National Interest (Urbana and Chicago: University of Illinois Press, 1986), 126. Congressional Research Service Congress, Federation of American Scientists, December 29, 2011. Web, April 12, 2012. “Washington’s New Gun Bazaar | Middle East Research and Information Project. " MERIP Home. Middle East Research and Information Project. Web. April 14. 2012. .