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Source: https://forward.com/opinion/529290/hanukkah-celebrate-israel-jewish-pride/
Hanukkah Is a Time to Celebrate the Power of Jewish Self-Determination
(Forward) Asaf Zamir - Hanukkah is really a celebration of military victory. Two thousand years ago, Seleucid Greek invaders banned Jewish education and ritual, and massacred countless innocent Jews for attempting to resist. In response, Jewish priest Judah Maccabee inspired and led a grassroots revolt, expelling the invaders, rededicating the temple in Jerusalem and renewing traditional Jewish ways of life. For over two millennia, Jews have come together during the year's darkest nights to commemorate this restoration of Jewish sovereignty in the holy land. We celebrate the right to live as proud individual Jews, and our right to do so as a people in our national historic homeland. People who attack Jews attack Israel, and people who attack Israel attack Jews. Every time Israel is dragged through the mud in the media, attacks on Jews in New York and London spike to record levels. Those who really want to stand with Jews must stand with Israel, and those who want to stand with Israel must stand with Jews. The writer is Consul General of Israel in New York.