President Joe Biden opened the doors of the White House on Monday night to Jewish community leaders and supporters for the final Hanukkah celebration of his administration. In his last formal Jewish gathering as president, he preached hope and support for Israel.
Second gentleman Doug Emhoff began the evening’s events by recounting the Jewish holidays and events he and Vice President Kamala Harris celebrated at their home. They planted a pomegranate tree on the first anniversary of the October 7 massacre to honor the victims and hostages, he said.
“Even as we saw antisemitism continue to grow and rise in our country and around the world, I walked around with my head held high, my shoulders and chest back, so proud to be a Jew,” Emhoff said. “And everywhere I went, I encouraged our community to do the same – not to cower and not to live in fear ever. And in spite of this scourge of antisemitism, we came together.”
Biden said there would be heavy hearts this Hanukkah, the second one since the horrors of October 7 and the surge of antisemitism in the US and across the globe.
'I will not stop'
“I’ve gotten over 100 hostages out,” he said. “I will not stop until I get every single one of them out.”
Last month, the administration had secured a ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon so that residents in the North can return safely home, Biden said.
“I’ve said many times before, my commitment to the safety of the Jewish people and security of Israel and its right to exist as an independent nation-state remains ironclad,” he said.
Biden said he has seen the power of the Jewish people’s hope and optimistic spirit in his own life and the life of the nation.
His final Hanukkah message as president, he said, was to “hold on to that hope.”
“Shine your light,” Biden said. “Shine the light of optimism. Above all, keep the faith. Keep the faith. May God bless you. Happy Hanukkah.”