WEST HARTFORD, Conn. — On the sixth day of Hanukkah, many Jewish organizers went to West Hartford Center to call for a ceasefire in the Hamas-Isarel war. Their message was: “Not in our name.” They aren’t the only people standing for the end of conflict.
“This Hanukkah we have rekindled our commitment to struggling for a cease-fire. To struggling for full Palestinian freedom,” said Sarah White.
As they lit the sixth candle on the menorah, many Jewish people from different organizations used their faith to stand in solidarity.
“I am one among thousands of American Jews rising up this Hanukkah in unprecedented numbers and with moral clarity to say cease-fire now,” said White.
Among the crowd calling for change, Layan and Basel Alnajjar have been the center of cease-fire protests across the state.
“Solidarity means everything to us, and I just think it’s a beautiful thing to see,” said Layan Alnajjar.
They emphasized how this conflict has been divisive, but they said it should be the opposite.
“Our peace and our struggle and our freedom is also inherently tied to the Jewish struggle. So we want everybody to know that anti-Zionism, which is the opposition to the terrorist Israeli state is not the same as antisemitism. Just look at the people right here. It will prove to you that when Jews stand with you that this is not religious struggle,” said Basel Alnajjar.
This is a sentiment shared across the state, as the Connecticut Archbishop and Bishops put out a statement on Tuesday against the rise in antisemitism.
“Catholics as well as other people of faith are extremely concerned about what we’re seeing, we hope people will stand up to and our elected leaders will continue to stand up against it and we engage in a dialogue in love and healing and virtue and reject these forms of hatred,” said Christopher Healy.
Each faith group hoping for a miracle.
“The Hanukkah story centers on a miracle and it is on all of us to make a miracle now,” said White.
DeAndria Turner is a multi-media journalist at FOX61 News. She can be reached at dturner@fox61.com.
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