First candle of Hanukkah lit in Great Synagogue of Tbilisi

Today, Jews around the world light the first candle of Hannukah, the Jewish holiday celebrating courage, perseverance and the victory of good over evil. This Hanukkah, as Israel continues to fight against terror organization Hamas in Gaza, Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili, Ambassador Hadas Meitzad together with the Rabbis and members of the Jewish community in Tbilisi, lit together the first candle of the holiday, Embassy of Israel reports.

"Yet again we wish for the victory of good over evil, for the victory of light over darkness. We all pray and call for the immediate release of all our hostages from the hand of the terrorists and we are certain that the light will defeat the darkness once again," Israeli Ambassador Meitzad stated.

"The Ambassador thanked the Georgia government and people for their steady support for Israel as was reiterated tonight by H.E PM of Georgia. Ambassador Meitzad dedicated the first candle of Hannukah to the safe return of the Bibas family, Yarden, Shiri, Ariel, and Kfir, abducted to Gaza by Hamas on October 7. Kfir Bibas, the youngest, will soon turn 11 months old after spending two months of his short life as a hostage in the hands of a terrorist group. Kfir and his 4-year-old brother Arie, were kidnapped with their mother Shiri. The family became the symbol of the violence perpetrated against Israel on that bloody Sabbath," the Embassy reported.

"Their innocent faces, as they disappeared from view in their mother's arms into Gaza, is still haunting all of us," said Ambassador Meitzad.

"Here in Tbilisi, and all over the world, tonight's candle is dedicated to the Bibas family, as Jewish people pray for their safe return home, along with all of the Israeli hostages still held by Hamas," the Israeli Embassy said in a statement.

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