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Dozens of lawmakers and diplomats gathered at the European Parliament headquarters in Strasbourg, France, on Tuesday evening for a Hanukkah menorah-lighting ceremony hosted by MEP Céline Imart.
Distinguished guests included: European Parliament President Roberta Metsola; European Commissioner for Internal Affairs and Migration Magnus Brunner; European Commissioner for Health and Animal Welfare Olivér Várhelyi; European Commissioner for the Mediterranean Dubravka Šuica; European Commissioner for Sustainable Transport and Tourism Apostolos Tzitzikostas; H.E. Ambassador of the U.S. to the EU Andrew Puzder; H.E. Ambassador of Australia to the EU Angus Campbell; H.E. Ambassador of Israel to France Joshua Zarka; H.E. Ambassador of Israel to the EU Avi Nir-Feldklein; Combat Antisemitism Movement (CAM) Director of European Affairs Shannon Seban; European Leadership Network (ELNET) – EU & NATO Executive Director Matthijs Schussler; President of the Consistoire Israélite du Bas-Rhinamong Maurice Dahan; Rabbi Lévi Matusof; Rabbi of Strasbourg Mendel Samama; President of Beth Loubavitch – Paris, Ile-de-France Rabbi Mendel Azimov; and around 80 European Parliament members.
The event was organized by Rabbi Matusof and Rabbi Samama, in partnership with Beth Loubavitch, ELNET, and CAM.
“Hanukkah reminds us that light is a choice,” Metsola said. “When others spread darkness, we can choose to bring light and all Europe must always choose light.”
“The light will never be extinguished,” she vowed.
“It starts with words — with slurs, with posters of kidnapped Jewish children being torn down, with insults that become normalized in public and political debate,” Metsola noted. “Fighting antisemitism is not only a Jewish issue. It concerns every one of us.”
Lighting the third candle of Hannukah at @Europarl_EN in Strasbourg tonight.
In solidarity, in hope and in the knowledge that even the faintest flicker of light is enough to break through the darkness.
We choose light 🕎 pic.twitter.com/wDEHg9OSpj
— Roberta Metsola (@EP_President) December 16, 2025
MEP Imart said, “May the candles we light today enable each of us to free ourselves from the chains of the past through forgiveness and to commit to a future of peace in which our cultural and democratic values will prevail. This is the only miracle I ask for today.”
Speaking on behalf of CAM, Seban opened her remarks by remembering the victims of the Bondi Beach massacre in Australia this past weekend.
“A few days ago, as the first candle of Hanukkah was being lit around the world, barbarians chose to target innocent Jewish civilians at Bondi Beach, in Sydney, Australia,” she said. “A moment meant for joy and light was turned into terror and bloodshed. Why? Because those lives were Jewish.”
“We also wish to honor Ahmed al-Ahmed, a hero who tried to disarm the terrorist,” she added. “His courage reminds us that humanity and bravery still exist — even in the darkest moments.”
“Tonight, we must also face a painful reality,” Seban emphasized. “Antisemitism is spreading everywhere — in Europe and far beyond. It is increasingly normalized, often disguised behind the false and dangerous pretext of so-called ‘anti-Zionism.'”
“According to CAM’s Antisemitism Research Center (ARC), nearly 2,605 antisemitic incidents were recorded in Europe in 2025 alone,” she added. “These are not statistics. They are shattered lives, traumatized families, and entire communities living in fear. Antisemitism is no longer marginal — it is visible, violent, and growing. And it must be named, condemned, and confronted with clarity and determination.”
“Lighting this candle tonight, here in the European Parliament, sends a powerful message — Europe chooses light over darkness, courage over cowardice, and responsibility over denial,” Seban declared.
