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By Itzhak Rabihiya

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and president Rivlin, lit this evening (Sunday, 29 December 2019), in Jerusalem, the eighth Chanukah candle with employees and their children.

Prime Minister Netanyahu said after the lighting: "I tell all of the adorable boys and girls here, and the employees of our office, we bring much light to the State of Israel. If the Maccabees who fought for our existence almost 2,000 years ago could have looked forward and seen that their descendants would establish a state that is now ranked as the eighth strongest in the world and that countries ranked above us have hundreds of millions [of people] and we have only nine million – then we are the Maccabees.

We reestablished the independence of Israel, the sovereignty of Israel and the IDF – the State of Israel – in the Land of Israel. This is a very great privilege and we are celebrating here today, by the light of these candles, the realization of the prophets' dream. This is a tremendous and amazing thing.

Thank you to all of you for the splendid and successful work that you do. Thank you to the boys and girls – you are the Maccabees."

President Reuven (Ruvi lit the eighth candle of Chanukah with the children of Beit HaNasi and with children from special education organizations Shmaya, OneFamily, Haverim Le’Refuah and Perach.

In addition, the meeting marked the opening of the celebration of the 30th anniversary of the foundation of Kav LaChayim, an organization that supports sick children around the country, particularly in hospitals. “Welcome to Beit HaNasi, to your home,” said the president to the children and their accompanying adults. “Beit HaNasi is the home of the people, of all the people of Israel and of every Israeli child. Beit HaNasi is also my home and I am very happy that my grandchildren – those who are your age – have come to visit. Some of your parents work right here. Thank you, dear children, for lending us your mothers and fathers so they can help us bring light to the State of Israel, not just at Chanukah, but all through the year. Just as the Chanukah candles are colorful, so is our people. Every one of us is individual and special in their own way. And so are you – special and colorful!”

The president welcomed the participants from all around the country who had come to celebrate Chanukah at Beit HaNasi, saying, “Sometimes even adults need a lesson and we need you to show us and teach us that we can work together and be friends, despite our differences. We are all one family, helping and supporting each other, in tough times and in celebrations and happy times. At home, we light Chanukah candles, and the symbol of the State of Israel is a menorah, a candelabrum. On this holiday we hope and pray, and we work hard, that the menorah of the State of Israel will always be lit, shining its light on us and on those around us, bringing light of peace and unity.”

Attached photo credit: Haim Zach (GPO)

Attached photo credit: Koby Gideon (GPO)