“Hanukkah” and Its Impact on Jerusalem and Al-Aqsa Mosque
Ali Ibrahim
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History & Civilization
Jewish holidays witness a surge in the level of aggression against Jerusalem and the Al-Aqsa Mosque. In recent years, these holidays have been solidifying efforts to change the cultural character and distort the identity of occupied Jerusalem, intensifying attacks on Al-Aqsa and its human components, as part of a broader attempt to impose a new and foreign identity on the city.
The holiday of "Hanukkah" serves as a prime example of how various Jewish holidays are harnessed to exert more control over the occupied city. The occupation has transformed Hanukkah into a season of aggression against Al-Aqsa due to its extended duration compared to other holidays, alongside its celebratory aspects that aid the occupation in imposing its identity and narrative. This year, the holiday falls between December 26 and January 2, 2025.
Definition of "Hanukkah" and Its Prominent Rituals
The word "Hanukkah" in Hebrew means "dedication." According to Jewish traditions, it marks the dedication of the "altar" in the "temple." It is also referred to as the "Festival of Lights," symbolizing "the joy of restoring the worship of God in Jerusalem." This holiday lasts for eight days.
According to the late scholar Abdul Wahab al-Masiri's work on Jews and Judaism, this holiday was not mandated by the Torah but rather invented by the priests, alongside the holiday of "Purim" in the context of a historical event.
Hanukkah is linked to a Jewish narrative about the victory of the Hasmoneans over the Greeks in the second century BCE, which replaced Greek rule in Jerusalem with Jewish governance and restored Jewish rites in the "temple."
As for the holiday's rituals, the Jewish narrative includes many details related to the menorah. Thus, a specific "Menorah" for this holiday is designed with nine branches. A candle is lit on the first night of Hanukkah, then a second candle is added the next day, and a new candle is added each day of the holiday until the eighth day, alongside special prayers for this festival.
Impacts of "Hanukkah" on Jerusalem and Al-Aqsa
Due to the association of Hanukkah with lighting the menorah, attempts are made to bring it into Al-Aqsa and illuminate it in the mosque during this holiday. In the courtyard of the occupied Buraq, a large menorah is erected and lit throughout the days of the holiday. While the settlers are unable to bring the menorah into Al-Aqsa during incursions, they compensate by lighting "lighters" or candles during their invasions.
On the third day of the holiday, December 10, 2023, a number of settlers lit three candles in the eastern courtyards of Al-Aqsa, symbolizing the third day of the holiday. The next day (December 11, 2023), one settler was seen carrying a lit candle, and a video showed him reading special prayers while holding the candle.
Similar to other Jewish holidays, Al-Aqsa experiences a series of assaults, including attempts to involve more settlers in storming Al-Aqsa, as well as performing collective Jewish rituals in its eastern courtyards, holding nighttime dances in the alleys of the Old City and in front of the gates, in addition to organizing night marches that roam the areas of the Old City and pass by the gates of the Al-Aqsa Mosque.
Security Measures and Their Impact on Palestinians
During Jewish holidays, the occupation authorities impose strict security measures, which have intensified since October 7, 2023. They increase the deployment of forces in the alleys of the Old City and at its entrances, enforcing more stringent restrictions at the gates of Al-Aqsa, in addition to establishing fixed and mobile checkpoints in an attempt to obstruct the movement of Palestinians, while allowing settlers to roam freely and practice their rituals during this holiday.
These barriers significantly impact the lives of Palestinians; the occupying forces impose repeated searches on them, restrict their movement, and delay their transportation within the occupied city. Notably, some settlement activities carried out by the occupation's arms impose strict limitations on Palestinians' movements, similar to the Judaization march.
In the same context, as the number of settlers performing public prayers at the gates of Al-Aqsa and in the alleys of the Old City increases, the occupying forces forcibly close Palestinian shops and do not allow them to continue their businesses under the pretext of protecting the settlers.
Hanukkah and the Distortion of Jerusalem’s Cultural Identity
The effects of this holiday go beyond the aggression against Al-Aqsa; the arms of the occupation target the identity of Jerusalem and its overall appearance during the holiday. With the holiday's connection to the menorah and lighting candles, the Judaization arms, especially the municipality in Jerusalem, work to impose a Jewish character on the city under the pretext of celebrating the holiday. Among the most notable Judaization activities carried out by the municipality are the following:
- Light shows and the illumination of the historical walls of Jerusalem; the occupying municipality establishes advanced light displays on the walls surrounding the Old City, featuring images and Judaization symbols related to the occupation's narrative about Jerusalem, as well as other Judaization elements.
- In addition, the municipality organizes other shows at various locations, accompanied by music and songs specific to this holiday, which are commonly heard even in areas inhabited by Palestinians.
- The placement of large numbers of "menorahs" in occupied Jerusalem; the occupying municipality places large illuminated menorahs in the square of the Buraq Wall and in other areas within and outside the Old City.
- The occupation's arms work to decorate public squares and surrounding streets with lights, especially in the western part of occupied Jerusalem and in neighborhoods with a dense settlement presence in the eastern part of the city.
Jewish Holidays and the Rising Dangers
The occupation has established its holidays as seasons to impose more control over Al-Aqsa. With its extremist arms monopolizing the mosque and continuing their aggression against it, particularly regarding the performance of public rituals, the occupation's appetite will expand to achieve more leaps in its control over the mosque, especially as the restrictions imposed on Jerusalem have continued since October 7 of last year.
In light of the weakened Islamic presence at Al-Aqsa and the absence of any real positions to confront the occupation's actions, the occupation's plans to spatially divide the Al-Aqsa Mosque or fully control it are inevitable.
Finally, it has become essential for various parties in the nation to regain their effectiveness and for prominent actors, including parties, forces, and organizations, to take the initiative to break the constraints of engagement with the issues of Jerusalem and Palestine, and Al-Aqsa mosque in particular. The occupation has been able to advance its plans without the existence of a strong front that can influence the reality of events in the city or hold the occupation accountable.
