The U.S. Embassy in Tel Aviv threw a party at the Dan Panorama Hotel in Tel Aviv Tuesday night, with drinks on the house for celebrants, to celebrate the once-every-four-years election.

The party was held before the outcome was known.

“We are celebrating American democracy. Once every four years, American citizens get to go the polls and choose a person they think should be their president,” Ambassador Dan Shapiro told Arutz Sheva.

“It is a great day, and something we are proud of,” he said. “We are excited about it, and it is something we can share with Israelis. so we thought it was a right time to celebrate along with Israelis.

“I think the right person [for president] is the person the American people chose. No matter what happens, Israeli-U.S. relations will remain strong and close, Our commitment remains.”

The party was homemade American, complete with hot dogs, hamburgers, corn on the cob and a rock band, along with drinks.

In prepared remarks in a speech, Ambassador Shapiro added, “A government, as Abraham Lincoln famously said, that is 'of the people, by the people, and for the people… '

“Israelis know this well. Like America, Israel was built largely by immigrants, who came to a new country and built a pluralistic democracy, despite the fact that most of them came from non-democratic societies.

“As Israelis enter their own election season, they are preparing, once again, to vigorously exercise their rights by voting, something they have always done proudly and in large numbers….

“Americans know that regardless of which party or candidate wins, the United States will continue to be a free and democratic country, whose government derives its power from the people.

“We heard…both President Obama and Governor Romney pledging to continue the long tradition of U.S. support to ensure not only Israel’s ability to defend itself – should the need arise - but its actual right to defend itself. We heard both candidates reaffirm that Israel is our greatest ally in the region, and that we will stand by our friend and ally through thick and thin, defending her security and her legitimacy.

“We heard both candidates commit to continuing our coordination with Israel to ensure that Iran does not obtain a nuclear weapon – a goal that is critical to both our interests.  And we heard both candidates renew the call for resumption of direct negotiations between Israel and the Palestinians towards a solution of two states for two peoples, an agreement that ensures Israel’s security while creating an independent and peaceful Palestine."