Biden is hosting a Hanukkah ceremony at the White House as fears mount about rising antisemitism

By WILL WEISSERT
Associated Press

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden is hosting a White House reception to mark Hanukkah, celebrating the holiday as he has continued to denounce rising antisemitism in the U.S. and abroad amid the ongoing Israel-Hamas war. The president, first lady Jill Biden and second gentleman Doug Emhoff will attend the reception Monday evening. The White House says Biden plans to talk about how Hanukkah is a timeless story of miracles, and that — even in dark times — we can find the light. Earlier Monday, a group of protesters staged a demonstration outside the White House, as nearly 20 women describing themselves as “Jewish elders” chained their bodies to the fence guarding the White House and chanted “Biden, Biden, pick a side! Cease-fire not genocide!”