Muslim American Leaders Stand for Light Over Darkness at Tel Aviv Hanukkah Celebration

The Combat Antisemitism Movement (CAM) hosted an interfaith menorah-lighting ceremony in Tel Aviv on Wednesday to celebrate the fourth night of Hanukkah with a visiting delegation of Muslim American leaders.

Special guests included: American Muslim and Multifaith Women’s Empowerment Council (AMMWEC) Founder and President Anila Ali; UAE-based linguist and peace activist Loay Alshareef; Jewish American entertainer and social media influencer Montana Tucker; and Ruderman Family Foundation Executive Director Shira Ruderman, among others.

The event — organized by CAM and Barzel Media — drew a crowd of more than 200 people to the Riverside venue in HaYarkon Park.

Before the menorah was lit, a moment of silence was held in remembrance of the victims of the Bondi Beach massacre this past weekend in Australia.

“Hanukkah is a moment in our history when we needed to rebuild ourselves after very difficult times,” said CAM CEO Sacha Roytman said. “It is about celebrating our light and never allowing hatred and darkness to win.”

“This is the Jewish people,” he added. “This is who we are.”

Ali — the head of the AMMWEC delegation currently in Israel on a CAM-led solidarity mission — said, “Our goal is for Jewish people [across the U.S.] to have [Muslim] partners. Partners who are authentic, resilient, and tough. Partners who are going to fight with them.”

“The Jewish connection to Israel can never be disputed,” Ali noted. “Read the Quran. Read all the verses where God speaks to Moses and says, ‘Bring your people and reside therein forever.’ What God has given you, nobody can take away.”

“I am a very proud Zionist,” she declared. “That is not political for me. It is faith.”

“So let’s all be really strong,” Ali urged. “Be proud. We are with you.”

Alshareef said, “My love for Israel is not because of how great the country is. It is great. How friendly the people are — they are. How delicious the food is — it is. How beautiful the women are — they are. The greatest thing about Israel is that its history can never be disputed among the three great religions of this world.”

“Muslims like us have to speak out,” he continued. “Because if we don’t, others will speak on our behalf — and they will distort everything.

“If you delegitimize Israel, you delegitimize the faith,” Alshareef emphasized. “Our faith is based on prophets, kings, and heroes who lived in this land and called it Israel.”

“I’m so proud to be here in Israel with Muslims who are standing with their Jewish brothers,” he said.

Sheikh Musa Drammeh — president of Muslims Israel Dialogue, a New York City-based initiative — said, “We have to find new ways of making sure that all the nations of the world recognize Israel’s sovereignty. That begins with Muslim Americans coming here, seeing it for themselves, and speaking about it as ambassadors.”

Tucker said, “Let’s continue to do great work together to show the world the truth about who Israelis are, what Israel is, and let’s keep getting it out to the world.”

Reflecting on the Bondi Beach massacre, Ruderman said, “They are shooting Jews, which is bad enough. But they are also shooting the fabric of Australia, just as they are shooting the fabric of other countries around the world.”

“Our kids are here in Israel, fighting not only to defend Israel, but to defend democracies and freedom,” she added. “What’s needed now is bravery — being clear about our enemies, standing with our allies, and being proud of Israel.”