Mike Huckabee was harassed by anti-Israel activists and anti-Zionist Jews at a Little Rock Hanukkah candle lighting. Little Rock Peace for Palestine and Progressive Jewish group Taste of Olam Haba took credit on their Instagram accounts. They disrupted the lighting of a Lubavitch of Arkansas public Hanukkiah because Huckabee is set to become US ambassador to Israel.
Activists carried candles, chanted slogans, and generally made a nuisance of themselves. Some wore sweaters calling for a “ceasefire now” in Gaza. On social media, the groups said “Christian philosemitism is antisemitism. Only loving Jews that support your right-wing end-times theology is not loving Jews.” However, the Chabad said on X that the traditional Hannukah liturgy Maoz Tzur drowned out “antisemitic protestors” as the future ambassador kindled the Hanukkiah’s flames.
The group said that “Christian Zionists and their agenda have no place in our Jewish communities and our government. As Mike Huckabee, the [US President-Elect Donald] Trump appointee as future Israeli ambassador, addressed our city, we stood united in rejecting his message of division. Instead, we spoke for unity, justice, and equality for all people between the river and the sea,” on social media.
Lubavitch of Arkansas described the scene as ” Light in the face of darkness.” They also thanked Huckabee, the city, local politicians, and local businesses for joining and supporting them. On Thursday they said, “What a beautiful first night of Hanukkah it was… Thank you all for coming out to celebrate with us and show your Jewish pride.”
Just a few days ago, a protestant church was placed under investigation after vendors were seen selling symbols connected with the terrorist organization Hamas at a Christmas market event. Prosecutors are looking into whether the Michaelskirche parish engaged in hate incitement and the use of banned terrorist symbols during the event. The investigation was initiated after complaints were filed last Sunday.
The market featured stalls that sold keyrings that featured keyrings displaying Hamas’ red triangle emblem. This symbol has been banned in Germany since July because of its association with the terrorist group. The European Conservative reported that vendors sold festive cookies inscribed in icing with the words “Palestinian Lives Matter,” stickers bearing the slogan, “From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free,” and maps of Palestine with Israel erased.
The market was promoted as an “anti-colonial, peace-supporting Christmas market.” It included traditional offerings like mulled wine and carols as well as political sloganeering. The website for the event described the market as a “journey for diversity and solidarity with all oppressed people” and stated that proceeds would support Palestinians.
The chairman of the Darmstadt Jewish community slammed the event. “It is a scandal that a Protestant church community either naively allows itself to be involved in this or maliciously does so,” Daniel Neumann said. The mayor, Hanno Benz, also condemned the happenings. “Antisemitism has no place in our society. Holding such an event under the umbrella of a Protestant community is intolerable.” He added, “Attempts are being made to delegitimize Israel’s right to exist and to demonize the state of Israel.”