Speaking at an event marking Chanukah at the U.N. building in New York on Dec. 19, Israel’s ambassador to the world body Danny Danon said the holiday is one “of light and hope, of resilience and courage.”
“Here at the United Nations, we fight against darkness, against antisemitism, against diplomatic terrorism,” he said at the event, which drew about 200. “Candle-lighting is more than a burning flame. It is a true declaration that darkness can be driven out.”
“Lighting the candle is a call to action to stand united and carry the light of truth and justice wherever it is needed,” Danon added.
He was joined at the event by Adi and Yael Alexander, parents of the hostage Edan Alexander, and by dozens of ambassadors and Jewish leaders, according to the Israeli mission to the United Nations.
“I thank the Alexander family who stand here beside me,” Danon said at the event. “We will not stop fighting until we return Edan and all the kidnapped men and women from the darkness of the Hamas tunnels to the light.”
Edan Alexander’s parents said at the event that with Chanukah approaching, ” we imagine the miracle of Edan returning home.”
“Two weeks ago, Hamas released a video of Edan. He is begging for his release and the release of the other 99 hostages. He describes the hell he is in,” they said. “Despite this, in his words, you can see strength and power. The resilience he demonstrates in captivity strengthens us and gives us a beacon of hope and determination for all those who are in the dark.”
“We are here today for all the kidnapped men and women, who are still being held captive,” they added. “We will not stop until they are all free. We will continue to fight and call for their immediate release.”