History Was Made As Hanukkah Lights Brighten The United Arab Emirates

Earlier this month, the UAE made history as a giant public menorah was raised in honor of Hannukah. Hanukkah lights lit up through Dubai and the UAE, the first time such a public display of the Jewish celebration has occurred in modern history. The night was filled with hope and connection and happened as a direct result of the Abraham Peace Accords in 2020. The menorah is an age-old symbol of religious tolerance and a beacon of hope for all of humanity," said Rabbi Levi Duchman, who is the director of the Chabad-Lubavitch of the UAE and played a key role in the celebrations. He went to say that that was no better symbol to mark the growing kinship between the Jewish Community and surrounding Arab nations. The menorah was 12 feet high and stood for all eight days of Hannukah in front of Dubai's most famous building, the Burj Khalifa - the tallest building in the world. How Hanukkah Was Celebrated The night was somewhat of a watershed moment in the Middle East and saw mass celebrations throughout the United Arab Emirates. This included concerts and an array of programs for children and adults. The star-studded lineup included such performers as Yishai Lapidot, Moshe Louk, Haim Israel, and Ruli Dikman were scheduled throughout the UAE. Singer Yishai Lapidot said of the occasion: "You are witnessing Jewish history." What are the Abraham Peace Accords? The Abraham Accords are a peace treaty, existing as a joint statement between the United Arab Emirates, Israel, and the United States. It marked the first time that a normalization agreement existed between the UAE and Israel and is a positive and symbolic moment that strengthens ties between each nation. The Positive Effects of the Abraham Peace Accords The symbolism of the peace treaty being called the Abraham Accords is because Abraham is a shared patriarchal prophet for both the Jewish and Arab people. It highlights that the two sets of people come from the same origin. In the past, Jews, Arabs, and Muslims have seen peaceful coexistence, and so the Abraham Accords symbolizes the intention to return to this harmony. Since The Abraham Accords came into effect, there has also been an immediate and massive influx of Israeli tourists to the UAE which is expected to hit 40,000 travelers by the end of 2020. The significance of The Abraham Accords cannot be understated. They are hopefully one of many steps to come, bringing peace, connectivity, and prosperity among the surrounding nations.