Netanyahu Lights Chanukah Menorah, Honors Modern Maccabees

On the first night of Chanukah, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu lit the menorah in Jerusalem, honoring both the ancient Maccabees and the modern heroes defending Israel today. The event, held with members of the Prime Minister’s Office, included the parents of fallen IDF soldier Omer Neutra, who was killed in the October 7 Hamas attacks.

“Today we light the first candle of Chanukah to commemorate the victory of the Maccabees of that time and the victory of the Maccabees of today,” Netanyahu said during the ceremony.

Referencing the resilience of the Jewish people, Netanyahu drew a powerful parallel between the struggles of the Maccabees and Israel’s current battles. “As then we strike blows at the oppressors and those who thought they would cut the thread of our lives here,” he declared, reaffirming Israel’s commitment to defeating its enemies, including the Houthis, Hamas, Hezbollah, and others across the region.

Chanukah commemorates the Jewish victory over the Syrian Greeks in the second century BCE, the rededication of the Holy Temple in Jerusalem, and the miracle of the menorah’s oil lasting eight days instead of one. The holiday is celebrated with nightly menorah lightings, special prayers, and the enjoyment of fried foods such as latkes and sufganiyot.

Netanyahu’s remarks highlighted the ongoing struggle to ensure the safety and sovereignty of the Jewish state, resonating deeply during this time of reflection and celebration.

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