Live UpdateFrom the Liveblog of Monday, July 3, 2023
At July 4th celebration, Nides says Israel, US democracies are ‘works in progress’
Lazar Berman is The Times of Israel's diplomatic reporter

US Ambassador Tom Nides speaks at a US Independence Day celebration in Jerusalem on July 3, 2023. (Lazar Berman/ Times of Israel)
“Like all democracies, we are both works in progress,” says Ambassador Tom Nides at the US Independence Day celebration at the Israel Museum in Jerusalem.
“Like all democracies, we are both works in progress, imperfect but striving to live up to our founding ideals, and we are both countries that understand that greatness flows from goodness,” he continues, saying he is optimistic about the future of both countries.
“Your commitment and love for the state of Israel … will always be commended,” Nides says to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, a week before he returns to the US.
“I love these two people,” he says of President Isaac Herzog and First Lady Michal.