Subscribe to Print Edition | Thu., December 18, 2008 Kislev 21, 5769 | | Israel Time: 01:25 (EST+7)
Haaretz israel news English
web haaretz.com
Haaretz Toolbar
Diplomacy
Defense Jewish World Opinion National
Print Edition
Car Rental
Books Haaretz Magazine Business Real Estate GA 2008 Travel Week's End Anglo File
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
Special Offers
Advertisement
Summer in Israel
Israeli style - Tzofim Chetz V'Keshet 2009
Summer Camp in Israel
The best place for your children this summer
Living in Israel Studying in English
Click & Meet our students from all around the world
Fattal Hotel Chain
Perfectly located hotels on best resorts of Israel.
Car rental in Israel
Shlomo Sixt Receive $15.00 from our low rates.
Eldan Rent a Car
Israel's leading car rental company offers you a 20% discount on all online reservations
Jewish Singles Personal Ads
Find the love of your life on JDate.com
Hebrew Summer courses
From $39.95
Junkyard
Junk a car - get free towing nationwide and a tax-deductible receipt
Home | TV | Print Edition | Diplomacy | Opinion | Arts & Leisure | Sports | Jewish World | Underground | Site rules |
Real Estate in Israel | Travel to Israel with Haaretz | Hotels Israel | Restaurants Israel | Tourist attractions Israel | Shops Israel
birthright Israel | Search engine marketing
Haaretz.com, the online edition of Haaretz Newspaper in Israel, offers real-time breaking news, opinions and analysis from Israel and the Middle East. Haaretz.com provides extensive and in-depth coverage of Israel, the Jewish World and the Middle East, including defense, diplomacy, the Arab-Israeli conflict, the peace process, Israeli politics, Jerusalem affairs, international relations, Iran, Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, the Palestinian Authority, the West Bank and the Gaza Strip, the Israeli business world and Jewish life in Israel and the Diaspora.
© Copyright  Haaretz. All rights reserved