PM Garibashvili celebrated Hanukkah with Jews

 PMIrakli Garibashvili attended a concert dedicated to the celebration of Hanukkah in the Rustaveli Theatre.

The Prime Minister welcomed the Jewish people, their community in Georgia, and all the Jews throughout the world. Recalling his visit to Israel as the Minister of Internal Affairs, Garibashvili said he felt the warmth that can be found only in one place, home.

"Hanukkah is a symbol of victory of God over the Evil. Thats why I would like to wish hope and faith for Georgian and Jewish people, PM said. In addition, Garibashvili referred to the visa free regime agreement between Israel and Georgia.

"I was honored to sign this historic document and herewith, I want to thank Bidzina Ivanishvili who managed to make the 26 centuries friendship between Israeli and Georgia people firmer and stronger, he added.

Prior to attending the concert, the PM was present at the major synagogue in Tbilisi where he congratulated Jews on the Hanukkah and was honored to burn the first candle of Hanukkah ceremony. Garibashvili was gifted with a chandler by the Chief Rabbi. At the synagogue, the PM arrived together with Minister of Energy, Kakha Kaladze, Minister of Corrections and Legal Assistance, Sozar Subari, the Ombudsman, the U.S. Ambassador to Georgia, Richard Norland and Israeli Ambassador, Yuval Fuchs.

Hanukkah, also known as the  Festival of Lights  and  Feast of Dedication, is an eight-day  Jewish holiday  commemorating the re-dedication of the  Holy Temple  (theSecond Temple) in  Jerusalem  at the time of the  Maccabean Revolt  against the  Seleucid Empire  of the 2nd century BCE.