search

Meeting Zelensky, Biden likens Ukraine’s fight against Russia to Hanukkah story

At White House press conference, US president says message of Jewish holiday is ‘that light will always prevail over darkness’

US President Joe Biden speaks during a news conference with his Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelensky, at the White House in Washington, December 21, 2022. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik)
US President Joe Biden speaks during a news conference with his Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelensky, at the White House in Washington, December 21, 2022. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik)

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

“Tonight is the fourth night of Hanukkah,” Biden said Wednesday 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.

“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,” Biden continued. “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.”

The Biden administration has had a number of Hanukkah celebrations this year, using them as a platform to denounce antisemitism.

Biden, along with Democrats in Congress and a number of Senate Republicans, wants to pass a $1.7 trillion spending bill before Congress adjourns at the end of the year, fearing that once Republicans assume leadership of the US House of Representatives they will stymy spending. Among the expenditures opposed by House Republicans is $45 billion earmarked for Ukraine.

The $1.7 trillion package unveiled this week also includes $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 antisemitic attacks.

read more:
Never miss breaking news on Israel
Get notifications to stay updated
You're subscribed
image
Register for free
and continue reading
Registering also lets you comment on articles and helps us improve your experience. It takes just a few seconds.
Already registered? Enter your email to sign in.
Please use the following structure: example@domain.com
Or Continue with
By registering you agree to the terms and conditions. Once registered, you’ll receive our Daily Edition email for free.
Register to continue
Or Continue with
Log in to continue
Sign in or Register
Or Continue with
check your email
Check your email
We sent an email to you at .
It has a link that will sign you in.