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WASHINGTON, DC - DECEMBER 11, 2023: U.S. President Joe Biden hosts a Hanukkah reception in the East Room of the White House. (Photo by Bonnie Cash-Pool/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON (CC) - On Monday at the White House, speaking to 800 invitees who were there celebrating Hanukkah, an eight-day Jewish festival lasting this year from December 7 - 15, U.S. President Joe Biden identified himself with Zionism, a movement that is sometimes polarizing and steeped in controversy.
“I ran into trouble and criticism when I said a few years ago that you don’t have to be Jewish to be a Zionist, and I am a Zionist,” Biden declared.
His comments drew both praise and condemnation from around the world. The Arab world, in general loathes Zionism, while Jews and their supporters tend to love it.
A Zionist is one who adheres to Zionism, a 19th Century going forward religious and political ideology that, in 1948, helped to reestablish the ancient Hebrew Israelite Jewish homeland in modern Israel: the Promised Land for Jews.
In the Holy Bible, Almighty God made a covenant with Abraham, promising that his descendants, in the house of Issac and Jacob, would forever posess the land now known as Israel. This is the same land where almighty God promised to put his name there.
Christ Jesus was born there, ministered, was crucified, dead, buried and self-resurrected, like He said would happen there. The Holy Bible also prophesies that He will return from Heaven, for Judgement Day, to the area's Mount of Olives, before setting up the Kingdom of God's headquarters at Mount Zion.
Zionism has gathered thousands of Jews back to their Biblical homeland from around the world, including Ethiopians who identify as one of the ancient 12 tribes of Israel.
Crutics insist that Zionists have forcibly pushed out Muslim Palestinians, who inhabited the land before modern Israel was born.
While the Hamas-Israel war rages, the Bidens were hosting a peaceful reception in which the president said the U.S. will "continue to provide military assistance to Israel until they get rid of Hamas, but we have to be careful — they have to be careful. The whole world’s public opinion can shift overnight, we can’t let that happen.”
Like many in the U.S., Biden has consistently denounced the hatred and animosity towards Jews in America and overseas.
Invitees in the sea of guests at the reception included Holocaust survivors, members of Congress, state and local officials, entertainers, and leaders from across the Jewish religious realm.
The White House reception was led by Rabbi Angela Buchdahl, senior rabbi at Central Synagogue in New York City. The celebration featured a menorah lighting by White House staff who are descendants of Holocaust survivors.
A menorah, a seven-candle lampstand that the Bible describes as having been used in the Tabernacle and in the Temple in Jerusalem, is lit nightly during the festival.
Biden talked about how Hanukkah is a timeless story of miracles, and that — even in dark times — we can find the light, symbolized by the lit candles.
Christians are watching for signs of the Light of the World, Christ Jesus's return.
Return to and stay with Christian Commander for breaking news, updates and the Seven Angels Sentinel vigil for Jesus Christ.
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