By: Gil Tanenbaum
President of Israel Isaac Herzog celebrated the start of Hanukkah by lighting the menorah at the Cave of the Patriarchs in Hebron. The Cave is a holy site for both Jews and Arabs who also believe that they descend from Abraham.
The President knew that his choice of location for the first celebration of the first Hanukkah of his presidency came with significant symbolism.
After it was announced that he would light the Menorah in Hebron, Peace Now released a statement of condemnation, calling “The settlement” in Hebron the “ugliest face of Israeli control of the territories. It is inconceivable that the president, who is supposed to be a unifying figure, chooses from all places to light a candle in a place that has become a stronghold of Kahanism and a symbol of oppression and violence.”
Other left-wing organizations like Breaking the Silence issued similar statements. They were joined by the terrorist organization Hamas which stated called on “the masses of our people in the West Bank and our people in the city of Hebron to confront this provocative step and to confront the attack on the Ibrahimi Mosque.”
The Ibrahimi Mosque is the Arab name for the location which in 1994 saw the killing of 29 Muslim worshipers by an Israeli Baruch Goldstein.
With all of this as the background for his visit, President Herzog made a call for unity for all Israelis, Jews and Muslims, left and right-wing alike.
“My brothers and sisters, even today, with all the complexity, and I do not for a moment ignore the complexity – the historical connection of the Jewish people to Hebron, to the Cave of the Patriarchs, to the heritage of mothers and fathers is unquestionable,” exclaimed Herzog. “Recognition of this affinity should be above all controversy.”
“As we unite around the wonderful light of Hanukkah candles, it is important to call [on people] to respect the State of Israel and its principles, listen more to one another, respect [people’s] differences, build a bridge and another bridge to preserve our unity, of course without hurting any individual or community, or their opinions and beliefs.”
President Herzog went on to speak about how Jews and Arabs share common roots coming out of “this cave” referring to the Cave of the Patriarchs.
“Alongside this, we must remember that not only our roots come out of this cave. Precisely today, and precisely here – in the sacred space for all the children of Abraham, we must continue to dream of peace, among people of all religions and beliefs in this land, and condemn every shade and type of hatred and violence.”
Herzog finished by making a Hanukkah blessing saying that he wished, “for all of us to illuminate our homes with great light and banish the darkness.”
(TPS)
