Hanukka goes political throughout the country

Israeli politicians light up for the Festival of Lights.

By GIL HOFFMAN
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his wife Sara Netanyahu light the first candle of Hanukkah at the Israeli Ministery of Foreign Affairs Jerusalem (photo credit: HAIM ZACH/GPO)
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his wife Sara Netanyahu light the first candle of Hanukkah at the Israeli Ministery of Foreign Affairs Jerusalem
(photo credit: HAIM ZACH/GPO)
Politicians began eight nights of campaigning at Hanukka parties across the country Tuesday night, adding an aroma of politics to the holiday centered around candles, jelly doughnuts, and potato pancakes.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu kicked off the holiday with an event in Ashdod Tuesday night that included the participation via video of Israel’s embassies and consulates from around the world.
His colleagues in Likud will be going to lighting ceremonies almost every night of the holiday.
For instance, on Tuesday night the Likud’s Ramle branch hosted former interior minister Gideon Sa’ar, Public Security Minister Gilad Erdan held a political rally in Ramat Gan’s Kfar Maccabiah Hotel and Science and Technology Minister Ophir Akunis held a separate event in Ramat Gan.
One of the holiday’s biggest events will be hosted by Culture Minister Miri Regev and Akunis in Or Yehuda on Monday. Netanyahu will culminate the holiday with an event for Likud activists in Kfar Maccabiah on the holiday’s final night, on Tuesday.
Other parties have plenty of Hanukka events as well. Zionist Union chairman Avi Gabbay lit candles at a party honoring Jewish teenagers who made the decision to live in Israel in Even Yehuda Tuesday night and later in the week he will be in Ness Ziona,  Jerusalem and a few towns in the Negev.

Yesh Atid head Yair Lapid will light the hanukkia Sunday at the Tel Aviv Great Synagogue and Monday in Lehavim with the social and educational group Aharai.
Finance Minister Moshe Kahlon will be lighting on Monday with Police Inspector-General Roni Alsheikh at a border police base in Ma’aleh Michmash.
Bayit Yehudi leader Naftali Bennett lit the holiday candles Tuesday with young patients at Schneider Children’s Hospital in Petah Tikva.


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