Though their connection to Israel might seem unusual, a group of college students, state lawmakers and others got together Friday night to celebrate that nation's birthday.

On May 14, 1948, the Jewish People's Council gathered at the Tel Aviv Museum and approved Proclamation of Independence, declaring the establishment of Israel, according to the Israel Ministry of Foreign Affairs's Web site. The students will be out of school by the actual 60th anniversary, so they chose to celebrate Friday.

"Happy birthday, Israel," said Sen. Curt Bramble, R-Provo, as he addressed the group headed by the American Israeli Alliance at UVU.

Students from the club at Utah Valley State College and a similar group from Brigham Young University gathered at the Hampton Inn in Orem and invited lawmakers to celebrate with them, including several state senators and Rep. Chris Cannon, R-Utah, who was unable to leave Washington, D.C. Instead, a Cannon staff member read his e-mailed speech at the event. He pointed out the similarities between the United States and Israel.

"In many cases, attacks on Israel serve as a substitute for attacks on the United States," read District Director Corey Norman.

The similarities between Israel and the United States were common themes throughout the evening. Bramble said Israelis in 1948 were like Utah's Mormon pioneers in 1847. Lawmakers also talked about the need for a strong Israel and a stable Middle East.

"Israel is critical to the peace and strength not only of the Middle East, but also the world as a whole," Bramble said.

Brett Nielsen, president of the American Israeli Alliance at UVU, is a senior at UVSC. He's been to Washington, D.C., with the American Israel Public Affairs Committee. He also went to Israel in the summer of 2007 with the same group to see Israel for himself and to understand the environment there.

Nielsen said he is involved with the issue not because he is connected to the Jewish faith, but because he cares about Israel's relationship with the United States and what it means for peace.

"Israel is one of our greatest allies in the Middle East," Nielsen said.

Students at BYU don't have a club of their own but meet every Friday to discuss Israeli issues. BYU sends students to Israel to study every semester at the BYU Jerusalem Center for Near Eastern Studies.

"I think it's the most important issue for students to know about," said BYU junior Thomas Blasucci.

• Brittani Lusk can be reached at 344-2549 or at blusk@heraldextra.com.