Despite the objections I've heard I cannot find fault with secretary of defense-nominee Chuck Hagel's assertion that he was a senator of the United States, not an Israeli senator.

Hagel is also being blamed for his objections to the U.S. invasion of Iraq. Most Americans want the United States to disengage our military presence in the Mideast.

There's no doubt that keeping America involved against Israel's Mideast enemies benefits Israel. Most recently we witnessed the disgusting TV ad intrusion of Israel's leader in our presidential election.

Americans should have recognized this was a blatant attempt to get an Israeli-friendly president elected. This came at a time Israel was trying to get the United States to join it in a military strike against Iran, presumably without the involvement of a single Israeli soldier - a policy much in evidence during our wars against other enemies of Israel.

I'm certain that a segment of Hagel objectors would prefer to have a more Israel-friendly secretary of defense.