President Herzog lights the first Hanukkah candle at the tomb of the biblical patriarchs. His visit to Hebron draws criticism from the Arab League.
Israeli President Yitzhak Herzog marked the beginning of the Jewish festival of Hanukkah in Hebron. On Sunday evening, he lit the first candle of a Hanukkah menorah in the Cave of Machpelah. The biblical patriarchs Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, as well as the matriarchs Sarah, Rebekah, and Leah, are buried there. The site is divided into a synagogue and a mosque, the two areas strictly separated. Only those who are neither Jewish nor Muslim are permitted to enter either place of worship.
At the ceremony in the synagogue, Herzog emphasized the Jewish relationship with the city: "The historical connection of the Jews to Hebron, to the tomb of the patriarchs, to the legacy of the patriarchs and matriarchs is beyond question. The recognition of this connection must be beyond all dispute," the online newspaper "Times of Israel" quoted him as saying. Left-wing Israelis protested nearby against the president's visit.
Herzog also emphasized the shared heritage of Jews and Muslims, which, despite the tensions in the divided city, remains a reality. "We will not agree on everything, but we must remember that 'we are all sons of one man.'" With this, the president quoted Genesis 42:11, which tells of Jacob's sons in Egypt who stand before Joseph and defend themselves against the suspicion that they are spies.
Arab criticism: Provocation against Muslim feelings
The Arab League condemned Herzog's visit to Hebron on Sunday, citing the "Judaization of Islamic and Christian holy sites by the occupying authorities." It described the visit as a disregard for and provocation of the feelings of Muslims. The international community must reject the actions against Islamic and Christian holy sites. According to the Palestinian news agency WAFA, the statement also referred to the "continuation of official and organized terror against the Palestinians, their rights, and holy sites.".
WAFA itself wrote that Herzog had “stormed the Abrahamas Mosque with strict military precautions”: “The Israeli president lit the first candle of the Jewish Hanukkah festival in the Ibrahimi Mosque, accompanied by settler leaders and Knesset members.”
Lighting candles at the Western Wall
In Jerusalem, Prime Minister Naftali Bennett (Yamina) and Defense Minister Benny Gantz (Blue and White) lit candles at the Western Wall. The Western Wall Heritage Foundation stated that the ceremonies were held in honor of Eli Kay. The 26-year-old Jewish man was murdered by a Palestinian terrorist in the Old City on November 21. He worked as a tour guide in the Western Wall area.
Bennett conducted the ceremony in the tunnel system of the Western Wall. According to a statement from the Department of Defense, Gantz said during the lighting ceremony: “We are very close to the place where the miracle occurred. You can consider it a miracle that they found the oil jar. And you can also consider it a miracle that there was someone who went and looked for it.” Hanukkah commemorates the Maccabean victory over the Hellenists in the 2nd century BCE. Afterward, the Temple was rededicated. According to Jewish tradition, a jar of holy oil meant for one day miraculously lasted for eight days.
Gantz also referred to the heroic deeds of the Maccabees, saying they were only possible through unity. He added that this unity is needed today as well. Wounded veterans of the Israeli army and relatives of fallen soldiers participated in the ceremony.
Jewish children's choir in Dubai
A celebration marking the start of Hanukkah was also held at the Expo in Dubai. The Chief Rabbi of the United Arab Emirates, Levi Duchman, lit the first candle in the Israeli pavilion at the World Expo. Among those present were businesspeople, Jews living in the Gulf state, and tourists. The children's choir of the local Jewish community sang Hanukkah songs.
