At a time when the United States and our allies face unprecedented security issues and nuclear proliferation throughout the world, the relationship between the U.S. and Israel has never been more critically important. Clearly, the bond between our nation and Israel is strong, and has been for generations.

This is why we have both led the effort to create the bipartisan House-Senate Israel Caucus, a group of Colorado legislators organized around supporting and strengthening the bond between the U.S. and Israel. The House-Senate Israel Caucus met for the first time in early February to view a film screening and study Israel’s unique role in the Middle East and the importance of the partnership between our countries.

As Chair and Ranking Member of the House Business Affairs and Labor Committee, we understand empirically that Colorado has a thriving business relationship with Israel. In 2013, Colorado had $41 million in exports with the country, and over $6.5 million in military contracts. Our state is also home to a number of groups working to foster economic cooperation between businesses here in Colorado and in Israel, such as the Israel-Colorado Economic Alliance.

It’s clear to us that the U.S-Israel relationship must weather current politics and personalities. The security of Israel must transcend partisanship and day-to-day political bickering. While policymakers may have legitimate disagreements on other issues, supporting a robust U.S.-Israel partnership is a bipartisan priority.

As the only true democracy in the region, Israel is a beacon of freedom in an unstable world. The Middle East is bogged down in turmoil and tumult, plagued by the scourge of ISIS and the lingering effects of the Syrian civil war, which has left hundreds of thousands dead — some estimates indicating upwards of 200,000 lives lost.

Americans and Coloradans have a duty to support other nations that robustly defend human rights and grant their citizens inalienable freedoms, including those rights we consider fundamental such as freedom of speech and religion. No other nation in the region supports and upholds those sacred rights like the State of Israel. In a region from which the world has borne witness to beheadings, stonings and other unfathomable acts of violence, Israel’s high standard of human rights and defense of human dignity serves as an example to the Middle East and indeed the global community. Though our nations are separated by thousands of miles, we share a common set of timeless values founded in our fundamental rights as human beings.

We have both had the immense privilege of traveling to Israel. While we were there, we traveled throughout the country, met members of the Knesset and had the invaluable opportunity to learn about Israel first-hand.

It’s not uncommon to travel to communities in Israel that have suffered from rocket attacks by terror cells bent on Israel’s destruction. In many of those towns, Israelis will adorn the roofs of their homes with fallen rockets as a symbol of resilience and resolve, declaring to the world and to their attackers the indomitable spirit of a resolute people.

This stunning image, which we saw firsthand, not only proves the determination of our Israeli allies, but also serves as a powerful reminder of the fact that conflict exists on every side of the nation. Since the state’s inception in 1948, it has been engaged in numerous conflicts that threatened its people and its security. From the moment Israel was founded, its enemies have encircled and threatened it. A strong U.S.-Israel partnership focused around issues of peace and security ensures that these enemies of Israel — the enemies of freedom and democracy — will never be victorious. But in order to ensure the safety of Israel, we must be forever vigilant and forever informed. In Colorado, the House-Senate Israel Caucus will work to educate Colorado legislators on issues confronting our ally as well as ensure robust local support for Israel.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s speech yesterday was a great opportunity for the Members of Congress who chose to attend and the American public to learn first-hand about the issues confronting Israel right now as well as hear an update on the Iranian nuclear negotiations. These critical negotiations will certainly impact the future of Iran, but could also have enormous implications for Israel and the security of the Middle East.

At the core of the six party (Iran, the U.S., the U.K., France, Germany, Russia and China) Iranian nuclear talks are two key matters: The number of centrifuges the Iranians will be allowed to maintain and operate as well as whether the West will reduce sanctions on Iran’s economy over the course of the next few years. Netanyahu’s concern is that if Iran is allowed to maintain centrifuges for peaceful purposes, the Islamic Republic might try to build a nuclear bomb. Israel is rightly worried about a nuclear Iran — high-ranking officials like former Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad have repeatedly engaged in bellicose rhetoric and called for the destruction of the state.An Iran armed with nuclear weapons poses an inherent and immediate threat to Israel and her allies. Numerous American and Israeli officials have reiterated the commitment of an international coalition to preventing Iran from developing a nuclear weapon. In fact, earlier this week during the American-Israeli Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) Policy Conference, American Ambassador to the United Nations Samantha Power spoke clearly on Iran.

“The United States of America will not allow Iran to obtain a nuclear weapon, period,” Power said. “If diplomacy should fail, we know the stakes of a nuclear armed Iran as well as everyone here. We will not let it happen.”

This unambiguous sentiment appeals to people across the political spectrum — because supporting Israel is not a partisan issue. Offering assistance to the only nation in the region with a record of sustaining human rights and freedom is a moral and imperative issue, not a petty partisan one.

State Representative Dan Nordberg (R-Colorado Springs) represents Colorado House District 14 in the state legislature. He serves as the ranking Republican member on the House Business Affairs and Labor Committee. You can reach him by email at: Dan.Nordberg.House@state.co.us.

State Representative Angela Williams (D-Denver) represents Colorado House District 7 in the state legislature. She also serves as the Chair of the House Business Affairs and Labor Committee and as Chair of the House Democratic Caucus. You can reach her by email at: Angela.Williams.House@state.co.us.