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Bush hosts Hanukkah ceremony at White House for Jewish leaders By Natasha Mozgovaya WASHINGTON - Outgoing U.S. President George W. Bush hosted a Hanukkah ceremony at the White House for Jewish leaders on Monday, shortly after returning from his farewell trip to Iraq and Afghanistan. Alongside the seasonal Christmas trees, the ceremony featured a historic Hannukiah that had been given to former president Harry Truman by Israel's first prime minister, David Ben-Gurion. The two statesmen's grandsons, Clifton Truman Daniel and Yariv Ben-Eliezer, lit the candles. Advertisement The president told the crowd that he had cut short his trip to attend the ceremony. "I met with [Afghan] President Karzai, who is determined to help the young democracy survive," Bush said. "And so he said, why don't you hang around for a while? And I said, well, you don't understand. I need to get back to the White House for an important event. The Hanukkah reception is always one of the most special events of the season. Laura and I are pleased to be with so many friends. And we are honored to gather with leaders of the Jewish community to celebrate our final Hanukkah here in the White House." Guests at the ceremony included Israeli Ambassador to the U.S. Sallai Meridor, Senator Joe Lieberman and his wife Hadassah, Republican Congressman Eric Cantor, and business mogul Sheldon Adelson and his wife. "The story of Hanukkah recalls the miraculous victory of a small band of patriots against tyranny, and the oil that burned for eight nights," Bush continued. "Through centuries of exile and persecution, Jews have lit the menorah. Each year, they behold its glow with faith in the power of God, and love for his greatest gift - freedom." "This Hanukkah we celebrate another miraculous victory - the 60th anniversary of the founding of the State of Israel. When President Harry Truman led the world in recognizing Israel in May of 1948, many wondered whether the small nation could possibly survive. Yet from the first days of independence, the people of Israel defied dire predictions. With determination and hard work, they turned a rocky desert into fertile soil. "They built a thriving democracy, a strong economy, and one of the mightiest military forces on earth. Like the Maccabees, Israel has defended itself bravely against enemies seeking its destruction. And today, Israel is a light unto the nations - and one of America's closest friends," he said. Bookmark to del.icio.us   Picking up the pieces U.S. Jews ponder 'catastrophic' effects of Bernard Madoff affair. Adolf Hitler, toddler Three-year-old Adolf Hitler finally gets his name on his birthday cake.

Read & React Jurists tell Barak: Don't shell Gaza population centers Responses: 204 Olmert: Qassam attacks require a response, and there will be one Responses: 98 3-year-old Adolf Hitler finally gets his name on his birthday cake Responses: 96 Amira Hass: Hamas expects Israel to foil two-state solution Responses: 44 Barak: Iran could attack the U.S. with a nuclear bomb Responses: 44 More Headlines 01:18 Barak: Iran could attack U.S. with nuclear bomb 00:25 Olmert: Qassam attacks demand a response, there will be one 00:32 Mofaz: Dispute between bus drivers definitely caused fatal Eilat crash 17:38 Hamas leader: No truce unless Israel eases Gaza restrictions 01:20 Rumor of Bamba snack's link to spate of infant deaths brings down Osem stock 01:17 Imams, rabbis pledge joint stance against terror 23:46 Bush shoe-throwing incident spawns viral games on the Web 14:06 3-year-old Adolf Hitler finally gets his name on his birthday cake 13:55 Russia to supply Lebanon with 10 MiG-29 fighter jets 04:28 Jurists tell Barak: Don't shell Gaza population centers 19:17 EU Parliament lobbies for removal of Iranian group from terror list 13:19 Livni seeks 'Big Brother' voter turnout in Kadima primary 15:52 Relatives of Russian crash victims arrive in Israel 17:54 Austrian president in W. Bank: Settlement construction must stop 13:32 Israel's Big Brother: Plenty of ethnic tension, but no sex 15:58 Journalist Uri Orbach joins new right-wing party 10:41 Italian MP says Vatican didn't do enough to help Jews in WWII Previous Editions Select Day 17 dec 16 dec 15 dec 14 dec 12 dec 11 dec 10 dec 09 dec 08 dec 07 dec 05 dec 04 dec

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