In becoming Israel’s ambassador to the United States, I had to renounce my U.S. citizenship—a very painful process. But, in doing so, I wrote a statement of my profound gratitude to America, the country that gave shelter to my grandparents, opportunity and security to my parents, and, to me, the values of tolerance, justice, equality.

Those same ideals, I wrote, helped make me a Zionist and continued to guide me as a public servant of the Jewish state.

I am grateful still and proud of my American heritage. With all my heart, I want to wish happy birthday to the still exceptional United States of America!