Hanukkah

Death penalty bill could turn terrorists into heroes - opinion

Executions won’t stop terror; they could glorify killers and spark more attacks against Israel.

National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir attends a faction meeting at the Knesset, in Jerusalem, November 17, 2025
People stand near flowers laid as a tribute at Bondi Beach to honour the victims of a mass shooting that targeted a Hanukkah celebration at Bondi Beach on Sunday, in Sydney, Australia, December 16, 2025.

Australia's Albanese: 'I am deeply and profoundly sorry' for Bondi Beach massacre

Mark Dreyfus speaks in Parliament House on Jan. 19, 2026 in Canberra, Australia. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese recalled parliament early, with a number of key pieces of legislation on the agenda, including the tightening of gun control laws.

Mark Dreyfus honors victims of Bondi Beach massacre with Mourner's Kaddish in Australian Parliament

A memorial of pebbles in remembrance to the lives lost during the Bondi Beach mass shooting on December 14, 2025, in Sydney, Australia, January 16, 2026.

Australia’s Parliament honors Bondi Beach shooting victims with moment of silence, speeches


Police open probes into candle extinguishing during Hanukkah

A child was seen extinguishing candles in Ramle; similar incidents have been reported in Tel Aviv and Beit Shemesh.

Police have opened an investigation after footage circulated online showing a child riding a scooter and extinguishing candles on a hanukkiah at the entrance to a residential courtyard in Ramle, the police announced on Sunday.

Jews attacked en route to Hanukkah candle lighting at Istanbul synagogue

Jews heading to a Hanukkah candle lighting in Istanbul were attacked amid protests and anti Israel slogans, according to footage from the scene.

Gate of Neve Shalom Synagogue, Istanbul, Turkey.

Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar urges Diaspora Jews to make aliyah amid global antisemitism

Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar called on Jews in Europe, Australia, and North America to make aliyah, citing rising antisemitism worldwide during a Hanukkah event in Rishon Lezion.

Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar at the Knesset, December 2, 2025; illustrative.

Sydney lights Hanukkah candles in honor of Bondi victims, introduces 'mitzvah' campaign

At the Light Over Darkness: Night of Unity commemoration, each candle was lit by a representative of those who brought light into the world at a dark time.

FATHER OF Ahmed el Ahmed, who tackled one of the gunmen in a deadly mass shooting during a Jewish Hanukkah celebration at Bondi Beach on December 14, attends the 'Light Over Darkness' vigil honouring victims and survivors of the shooting incident in Sydney, Australia, December 21, 2025.

Jerusalem memorial ceremony for Bondi Beach terror victims in tandem with ceremony in Sydney

President Isaac Herzog and his wife Michal joined Australians living in Israel, visiting Australians, bereaved relatives, Chabad rabbis, and senior officials for a memorial ceremony in Jerusalem.

ISRAELIS LIGHT candles the day after after two gunmen shot and killed people gathered on Australia's Bondi beach for the start of the Jewish festival of Hanukkah, in Jerusalem on December 15, 2025.

Jewish Agency Shlichim Strengthen Communities Worldwide and Spread Hanukkah’s Global Glow

With a record deployment of emissaries, the Jewish Agency reinforces Jewish identity, communal resilience, and global solidarity at a critical moment.

Jewish Agency Chairman Maj. Gen. (res.) Doron Almog and CEO Yehuda Setton with Jewish Agency shlichim

Bondi massacre was not about free speech – it's the cost of normalizing antisemitism - opinion

Sydney should not be used to shut down legitimate criticism of Israel. But it should end the pretense that antisemitic intimidation, when cloaked in politics, deserves a pass.

A PALESTINIAN SOLIDARITY activist holds a placard outside the St George’s Cathedral during an interfaith prayer and vigil for the victims of the shooting at a Hanukkah event at Sydney’s Bondi Beach, in Cape Town, South Africa, on December 17, 2025.

Heroes of PALMAR: Hanukkah and the few against many - book excerpt

The words of the 'Al hanissim' ('for the miracles') prayer that we recited – 'The few against the many… in those days [137-134 BCE] and at this time [Hanukkah]' – held an unmistakable meaning for us.

 Tuvia Book lights a hanukkiah in the field.

Hanukkah 2025: From Hellenism to today’s culture wars

Still reeling from the horrors of violent fascism and extreme nationalism, humanity has grown enamored of a universal self-conception that denies meaningful differences of race, religion, or culture.

Heroes from the Israel-Hamas War light candles on the sixth night of Hanukkah with Knesset Speaker Amir Ohana in December 2024

Hate and violence strike again with Bondi Beach massacre

"We will not be afraid if they try to take us down, even on the glorious beaches of Sydney Australia"

People stand near flowers laid as a tribute at Bondi Beach to honour the victims of a mass shooting that targeted a Hanukkah celebration at Bondi Beach on Sunday, in Sydney, Australia, December 16, 2025.