Germany's Scholz Begins Hanukkah with Calls for Solidarity with Jews

This year, Hanukkah begins at sunset on Thursday (December 7), and in Germany, Olaf Scholz made history as the very first German Chancellor to light the first flame of a Jewish menorah in the country's modern history.

According to German broadcaster DW, Scholz attended the lighting ceremony in front of Berlin's Brandenburg Gate, which became more significant than ever due to the war between Israel and Hamas.

"This is particularly important at this time," the chancellor told the crowd, adding that the fact that the event was happening in the heart of the German capital sent a clear message that Jewish citizens in Germany have a "fundamental fire to be visible."

Due to the Israel-Hamas war, Scholz said that it was "sad and frightening" that members of Germany's Jewish communities were, once again, living in fear. He called Hanukkah "a symbol of hope and confidence and a symbol of the inseparable affiliation of the Jewish faith and Jewish fellow citizens to this, our country."

Other prominent politicians and individuals were also in attendance, which was well-attended.

(Photo: Michele Tantussi/Getty Images)

Shedding Light on Antisemitism

Scholz also added that there has been a 320% increase in antisemitism since Hamas attacked southern Israel.

"Hamas's terrorist attack on Israel was also directed against humanity itself," he said.

"We do not accept it when Jewish fellow citizens have to be afraid to live their religion, their culture, and their everyday lives openly when they exercise their fundamental right to be visible - a right that all people in our society have, without distinction."

In response, the host of the Berlin event, Rabbi Yehuda Teichtal thanked the German Parliament and Scholz as beacons of democracy.

According to the Associated Press, antisemitism in Germany has been on the rise since October 7, and German Jews have used this holiday to call for the protection of German Jews.

The Jewish festival of Hanukkah, or the Jewish festival of lights., commemorates the rededication of the Temple in Jerusalem in the 2nd century BC after a small group of Jewish fighters liberated it from Hellenic occupiers.

Hanukkah this year would last until December 15.