President Isaac Herzog participated this evening (Thursday) in the lighting of the first candle with residents of the south and heads of councils and cities. During the ceremony, those present lit eight menorahs that tell the unique story of the settlements and kibbutzim of the south.
At the beginning of his remarks, the President addressed the residents of the Negev and noted that Israel will return the light to the south. "The residents of the Western Negev - you are the real heroes of this era. There are bereaved families here, there are families who are worried, there are families of abductees here, and we are all together on one side - worried, grieving and anxious.
"And on the other hand, we came here to light the first Hanukkah candle and say Happy Hanukkah! After all, we came to drive out darkness, this year it is clear that it is with a special voice, firmly determined, we promise you and us - to drive out the darkness, to fight until the end, and to bring back the light."
Herzog: "Managing an argument without becoming 'us and them'"
Herzog also referred to past year that Israeli society has been through and claimed that the enemy was wrong when it thought that the people of Israel were at a point of weakness. "They thought that after the polarized year we've had, after the deep internal crisis - we are weaker than ever. They were wrong! They failed! Our nation stood up as a lion against its enemies. United - with a pulsating fighting spirit and incredible resilience!"
He also added that "Together with all parts of society in Israel, together with our sisters and brothers in the diaspora, our supporters in the world, and the strongest allies in the world - we rose together to fight against absolute evil. And we proved to everyone that we are one people, and no one can overcome us. We came out of darkness into light, our sword is drawn, and these days we prevail over our enemies, as in those days - at this time! And this cohesion that we demonstrate - is the heart of our resilience."
According to him, "We must guard this unity with all vigilance. The soldiers demand it from us, the bereaved families, whom we hear about from morning to night, the wounded, the families of the kidnapped and the missing - everyone talks to us, with me, with concern and fear lest we return to the polarized camps, to the internal distrust.
Finally, he said, "It is clear to everyone that healthy debates are something that is part of our DNA, but there is a way to manage them, without burning the bridges built in the last two months. Without becoming 'us and them' again. We must maintain this Israeli cohesion, with all our might. And as which has been proven - it's a matter of life and death."