Hannukah at the White House

Yesterday morning, President Bush was in
Baghdad.  This morning, he was in
Kabul.  This evening he presided over the annual Menorah Lighting ceremony at the White House. 

This year, the Menorah was one David Ben-Gurion gave to Harry Truman in May 1951 (on loan for the evening from the Truman Presidential Library), and it was lit by the grandsons of President Truman and Prime Minister Ben-Gurion. 

Here are the President’s remarks at the ceremony:

THE PRESIDENT:  Please be seated.  Welcome to the White House.  You may have heard I’ve had a pretty eventful weekend.  (Laughter.)

So I slipped out Saturday night to Andrews Air Force Base, boarded Air Force One, and landed in
Baghdad
,
Iraq, on Sunday afternoon.  It was an unbelievable experience, it really was, to stand next to the President of a democracy and hold my hand over my heart as they played the national anthem in front of one of Saddam Hussein’s palaces.  I then had — (applause) — and then I had the honor to thank our brave troops who have helped make the transformation in
Iraq possible.

This morning we landed in
Afghanistan.  I spoke to American forces serving courageously to make sure that
Afghanistan never becomes a safe haven from which the killers could launch attacks on the homeland.

And then I met with President Karzai, who is determined to help the young democracy survive.  And so he said, why don’t you hang around for a while?  And I said, well, you don’t understand.  (Laughter.)  I need to get back to the White House for an important event.  (Laughter.)  The Hanukkah reception is always one of the most special events of the season.  Laura and I are pleased to be with so many friends.  And we are honored to gather with leaders of the Jewish community to celebrate our final Hanukkah here in the White House.

I want to thank our Attorney General for joining us.  General, I appreciate you and Susan joining us.  I am proud to be here with one of
America‘s great
United States senators, Joe Lieberman — (applause) — his greatness made possible by his wife Hadassah, I might add.  (Laughter.)   And one of the young leaders of the
United States Congress, Eric Cantor, and his wife Diana.  (Applause.)  And we’re proud to be here with Kol Zimra, as well, who will perform later.

The story of Hanukkah recalls the miraculous victory of a small band of patriots against tyranny, and the oil that burned for eight nights.  Through centuries of exile and persecution, Jews have lit the menorah.  Each year, they behold its glow with faith in the power of God, and love for His greatest gift — freedom.

This Hanukkah we celebrate another miraculous victory — the 60th anniversary of the founding of the state of
Israel.  When President Harry Truman led the world in recognizing
Israel in May of 1948, many wondered whether the small nation could possibly survive.  Yet from the first days of independence, the people of
Israel defied dire predictions.  With determination and hard work, they turned a rocky desert into fertile soil.  They built a thriving democracy, a strong economy, and one of the mightiest military forces on earth.  Like the Maccabees,
Israel has defended itself bravely against enemies seeking its destruction.  And today,
Israel is a light unto the nations — and one of
America‘s closest friends.

This evening, we have the great privilege of celebrating
Israel‘s 60th anniversary and Hanukkah in a very special way.  Thanks to the generosity of the Truman Library, we are fortunate to light the menorah presented to President Truman in 1951 as a symbol of friendship by
Israel‘s first prime minister, David Ben-Gurion.

A decade after President Truman received this gift, he visited Prime Minister Ben-Gurion for one of the last times.  As they parted, Ben-Gurion told the President that as a foreigner he could not judge President Truman’s place in American history, but the President’s courageous decision to recognize the new state of
Israel gave him an immortal place in Jewish history.  Those words filled the President’s eyes with uncharacteristic tears.  And later, Ben-Gurion would say he rarely had seen somebody so moved.

And so tonight I’m deeply moved to welcome the grandsons of these two great men —
Clifton Truman Daniel and Yariv Ben-Eliezer — to light the Truman menorah together.

Laura and I wish all the people of Jewish faith a happy Hanukkah and many joyous Hanukkahs in the years ahead.  Thank you.  (Applause.)

The 15-minute video of the event, including the performance by Kol Zimra, is here.