By Aryeh Savir/TPS • 23 December, 2019
Leaders from around the world on Sunday conveyed their wishes and holiday greetings to the Jewish people who celebrated the first night and lit the first candle of Chanukah.
US President Donald Trump tweeted that he and his wife Melania “send our warmest wishes to Jewish people in the United States, Israel, and across the world as you commence the 8-day celebration of Hanukkah.”
India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi posted a message in Hebrew and English wishing a “Chag Hanukkah Sameach to the people of Israel.”
“The festivals of Hanukkah and Diwali (the Hindu festival of lights) depict yet another cultural affinity shared by India and Israel, celebrating light and the victory of good over evil,” he added.
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) Embassy in London Tweeted its “warmest wishes to our friends of the Jewish faith on the occasion of the first day of the Festival of Lights. Wishing you a joyful Hanukkah.”
The United Kingdom’s reelected Prime Minister Boris Johnson used his holiday greetings to lash out at anti-Semitism in his country, which became a significant issue during the recent elections due to the prevalent Jew-hatred displayed in Jeremy Corbyn’s Labour party.
“It is a time to celebrate not just the miracle of the oil but also your unique identity … to say to the world. … I am Jewish, and I am proud of it,” Johnson said in a recorded message.
“Anti-Semites, in alarming numbers, have been emboldened to crawl out from under their rocks and begin once again to spread their brand of noxious hatred,” but “every decent person’’ in the UK should fight the hatred, he said.
“Britain would not be Britain without its Jewish community and we will stand with you and celebrate with you – at Chanukah and all year round,” he concluded.
Prime Minister of Canada Justin Trudeau stated that “on behalf of all Canadians, Sophie and I wish everyone celebrating a blessed and peaceful Hanukkah.”
“Today, as we recognize the significant contributions that Jewish Canadians make to our communities, we recommit ourselves to speaking up against antisemitism wherever it occurs. Together, we can continue to build a country where we celebrate the diversity, compassion, and inclusion that are Canada’s strength,” he said.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and US Ambassador to Israel David Friedman lit the first candle together at the Kotel, Western Wall, in Jerusalem.
“A great honor to stand with Netanyahu at the Western Wall to light the Chanukia — just a few steps from where the Maccabees achieved the great victory that we celebrate tonight!” Freidman Tweeted.