Al-Ghad, Jordan, December 28
The current Israeli colonial policy in Palestine and Jerusalem is based on false religious excuses and justifications aimed at misleading international public opinion and winning sympathy for Israel at the expense of the Palestinians. These so-called religious rituals allow the Israeli government to continue its systematic Judaization of Jerusalem and Al-Aqsa Mosque. These days, the Jews celebrate the festival of lights, also known as “Hanukkah,” a Hebrew word standing for “inauguration.” The holiday is celebrated in commemoration of the inauguration and construction of the alleged Second Temple in Jerusalem in 164 BC. According to the Jewish narrative, a number of Jews were able to light a seven-candle lampstand for eight days, even though there was only oil left for one day. Therefore, Jews around the world gather every evening on Hanukkah to light candles and repeat this tradition for eight days. This holiday is considered one of the most dangerous Jewish holidays for Islamic and Christian sanctities, as it is the only one linked – according to their lies and traditions – to an alleged structure that stood where the blessed Al-Aqsa Mosque stands today. It is widely known to researchers that Hanukkah is not one of the Jewish holidays mentioned in the Bible. However, it is one of the most popular Jewish holidays for political organizations like “Women for the Temple,” “Students for the Temple,” and “The Federation of Temple Organizations,” which invite Zionist settlers to participate extensively in the intense and continuous incursions into the mosque… Politically, the Israeli government is taking advantage of this holiday to continue its systematic Judaization project in Palestine and Jerusalem based on daily attacks and crimes, in addition to its endeavor to win the support of some states. It is important to note that during last year’s Hanukkah celebration, Israeli PM Netanyahu met US Secretary of State Pompeo in Brussels, where the two lit the second candle together as a token of Israeli gratitude to the steadfast American support of Israeli colonization. The Royal Committee for Jerusalem Affairs, which monitors the events on the ground in Jerusalem, strongly condemns these rituals, which, under religious pretext, are used to increase Israeli attacks on Muslim and Christian holy sites in the City. Genuine religious observance revolves around the spread of peace and love among peoples; not what Israel and its right-wing organizations are doing to spread the ideas of hatred. –Abdullah Kanaan, Secretary-General of the Royal Committee for Jerusalem Affairs (translated by Asaf Zilberfarb)