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Biden cites Chanukah with Zelensky

WASHINGTON — During a closely-watched press conference with Ukraine’s Jewish president, Volodymr Zelensky, President Joe Biden brought up the Chanukah story, comparing Ukraine’s struggle against Russia to the Maccabees’ uprising.

Pres. Joe Biden and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky at a joint press conference at the White House, Dec. 21, 2022. (Alex Wong/Getty)

“Tonight is the fourth night of Chanukah,” Biden said Dec. 21 standing next to Zelensky, who was on a last-minute visit to Washington to speak to Congress and appeal for the approval of more assistance for Ukraine.

It was Zelensky’s first foreign trip since the start of Russia’s invasion in February, 2022.

“A time when Jewish people around the world, President Zelensky and many families among them, honor the timeless miracle of a small band of warriors fighting for the values and their freedom against a much larger foe and how they endured and how they overcame. How the flame of faith with only enough oil for one day burned brightly for eight days.

“The story of survival and resilience that reminds us on the coldest day of the year, that light will always prevail over darkness.”

It was a message that Zelensky himself struck in a message to Ukrainians just before the start of the holiday.

“Congratulations to the Jewish community of Ukraine and all the Jews of the world on Chanukah. Those who were outnumbered defeated those who outnumbered them. Light defeated darkness. It will be the same this time,” Zelensky said at the end of a longer video update about the status of the war. He finished in Hebrew: “Chag Chanukah Sameach.”

Biden’s comments echoed a comparison between Zelensky and Judah Maccabee, the hero of the Chanukah story, that emerged early on in Ukraine’s defensive war. “Zelensky gives modern Maccabee energy,” one writer wrote at the time.

The $1.7 trillion spending bill passed by Congress includes $45 billion earmarked for Ukraine, $3.8 billion in defense assistance for Israel and $305 million for security grants for nonprofits, an increase from $180 million.

Jewish groups lobbied for the increase in nonprofit assistance, saying it was needed in the wake of a perceived increase in violent anti-Semitic attacks.

The Biden administration has had a number of Chanukah celebrations this year, using them as a platform to denounce anti-Semitism.




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