Jewish organizations criticized Tlaib’s adding a message about the Israeli-Palestinian conflict into a Hanukkah message, claiming she would not do the same for other groups. The Israel Advocacy Movement called it “insulting.” The remaining members of The Squad wrote more generic Hanukkah messages wishing their Jewish constituents a happy Hanukkah and “chag sameach.”UK Labour party leader Jeremy Corbyn, who has faced accusations of antisemitism and referred to Hamas and Hezbollah as his “friends,” released a Hanukkah video on Twitter, expressing messages of hope. However, due to the accusations, many ridiculed his making a Hanukkah message in the first place, some even expressing gratitude that his party lost the recent election.She wasn't able to make it in person, but Congresswoman @RepRashida Tlaib sent this wonderful video to the folks at INN Detroit for their Chanukah party. Thanks, Rashida!Check out the video and check the thread below for a INN Chanukah party near you soon! pic.twitter.com/LsoL1hLidt
— IfNotNow (@IfNotNowOrg) December 20, 2019
UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson, whose party defeated Corbyn’s, released a video recognizing that “recent years have not been easy ones for British Jews.” In his video Johnson evoked the Hanukkah story, saying that Jews should be proud and that, while the Maccabees had to fight on their own, that British Jews seeking “to drive back the darkness of resurgent antisemitism,” have “every decent person in this country” fighting with them. Accompanying the video was a tweet, “Britain would not be Britain without its Jewish community.”I would like to wish happy #Hanukkah to Jewish people celebrating in Britain and across the world.#Chanukah pic.twitter.com/UfwHrEMNYK
— Jeremy Corbyn (@jeremycorbyn) December 22, 2019
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau made a similar acknowledgment in his video, saying that Hanukkah in Canada is “a chance to recognize the many contributions Jewish Canadians make.” He also pledged that the Canadian “government will always stand with Canada’s Jewish communities.”Britain would not be Britain without its Jewish community. And we will stand with you and celebrate with you - at Chanukah and all year round. pic.twitter.com/S5ClRprCuL
— Boris Johnson (@BorisJohnson) December 22, 2019
Although the White House held its Hanukkah celebration last week, during which US President Donald Trump signed an executive order addressing antisemitism, the president released an additional Hanukkah message on Sunday.Trump tweeted the official White House Hanukkah message and wrote, “Melania and I send our warmest wishes to Jewish people in the United States, Israel, and across the world as you commence the 8-day celebration of Hanukkah.”Wishing a very happy Hanukkah to Jews in Canada and around the world. Chag Hanukkah Sameach! https://t.co/PRLZpYrySd pic.twitter.com/mIH7eRs1Uy
— Justin Trudeau (@JustinTrudeau) December 22, 2019
Having celebrated Hanukkah in the White House during her husband’s term in office, former secretary of state Hilary Clinton tweeted a photo of herself and former president Bill Clinton lighting candles with children at the White House. Clinton wished “everyone celebrating” a happy Hanukkah.Melania and I send our warmest wishes to Jewish people in the United States, Israel, and across the world as you commence the 8-day celebration of Hanukkah. https://t.co/WgQyO9qxSs
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 22, 2019
Diplomatic ties were also strengthened when Prime Minister of Israel Benjamin Netanyahu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi exchanged holiday greetings as both of their populations are celebrating festivals of light, Hanukkah and Diwali.Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi tweeted “Chag Hanukkah Sameach to the people of Israel. The festivals of Hanukkah and Diwali depict yet another cultural affinity shared by India and Israel, celebrating light and the victory of good over evil. @netanyahu.”Sending warm wishes to everyone celebrating Hanukkah! pic.twitter.com/Vu0tROLraB
— Hillary Clinton (@HillaryClinton) December 22, 2019
In response, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu tweeted, “May #Hanukkah and Diwali shed their lights on the Peoples of India and Israel and strengthen even further our incredible friendship. Thank you my friend @narendramodi!”Chag Hanukkah Sameach to the people of Israel. The festivals of Hanukkah and Diwali depict yet another cultural affinity shared by India and Israel, celebrating light and the victory of good over evil. @netanyahu
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) December 23, 2019
Former Beatles member Paul McCartney tweeted, "Happy Hanukkah to ye! - Paul." Actress Alyssa Milano replied, "I love you. That’s all. That’s the tweet."May #Hanukkah and Diwali shed their lights on the Peoples of India and Israel and strengthen even further our incredible friendship. Thank you my friend @narendramodi! https://t.co/tPvYpwpPJQ
— PM of Israel (@IsraeliPM) December 23, 2019
Not all Hanukkah messages posted online were from political leaders, celebrities and professionals also tweeted in celebration of the holiday. Two messages in particular went viral, one from The Late Late Show host James Corden and another from NASA astronaut Jessica Meir.While Adam Sandler is most commonly associated with modern Hanukkah songs, this holiday season Cordon lit up the Internet with a tune of his own. He joined forces with Jewish celebrities Zach Braff, Charlie Puth, Josh Peck and Christopher Mintz-Plasse to make a parody band called Boyz II Menorah. The band, whose name references R&B group Boyz II Men, produced a new Hanukkah-themed song entitled “A Week and a Day.”Happy Hanukkah to ye! - Paul pic.twitter.com/bl6HvEX1xp
— Paul McCartney (@PaulMcCartney) December 22, 2019
Meir, who is currently on the International Space Station, tweeted a photo of herself wearing socks with menorahs and Stars of David with the Earth below her. She tweeted, “Happy Hanukkah to all those who celebrate it on Earth!”Happy Hanukkah from #BoyzIIMenorah! pic.twitter.com/RX0lrTnDaC
— The Late Late Show with James Corden (@latelateshow) December 22, 2019
Happy Hanukkah to all those who celebrate it on Earth! #HappyHanukkah pic.twitter.com/FKC2M5iXni
— Jessica Meir (@Astro_Jessica) December 23, 2019