A delegation from each the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain took half Monday night within the central Hanukkiah lighting on the Western Wall in Jerusalem, in a ceremony described by the positioning’s chief rabbi as a “Hanukkah miracle.”
The group was made up of social activists and opinion leaders from the Gulf nations, visiting Israel as a part of the Sharka Mission.
Talking earlier than lighting the candles for the fifth night time of Hanukkah, Rabbi Shmuel Rabinovitch, chief rabbi of the Western Wall, welcomed the delegations, marveling at the truth that they have been in a position to rejoice together with Israelis within the Jewish state.
“It’s a Hanukah miracle to see the delegation from the UAE and Bahrain right here with us collaborating within the Hanukkah candle-lighting ceremony,” he stated. “Who would have believed that peace would come to our home in such an impressive manner?”
Israel: delegation from the UAE and Bahrain take part in a Hanukkah candle-lighting ceremony on the Western Wall
— Amichai Stein ()
Earlier Sunday, President Reuven Rivlin hosted the delegation at his residence in Jerusalem.
“Peace is made between peoples and nations,” he advised them. “Your go to right here is one other step within the path of constructing heat relations between our nations. I want you a profitable go to and I’m glad to fulfill you right here in Jerusalem.”
In accordance with a press release from the president’s workplace, Dr. Majid a-Sarah from the College of Dubai, one of many leaders of the delegation, stated in response: “To go to Israel for the primary time as a part of a delegation is a historic second. Israel is a major instance of tolerance within the area. This can be a new period of peace and stability between peoples.”
President Reuven Rivlin (3R) hosts a delegation of Bahrainis and Emiratis in Jerusalem, December 14, 2020. (Mark Neyman/GPO)
Mashaal a-Shamri from Bahrain was quoted as saying: “As a Bahraini lady visiting Israel, it’s a nice honor for me to fulfill the president. We see Israel as a spot of peace, success and coexistence.”
The go to and name got here after Morocco on Thursday turned the fourth Arab state this 12 months, after the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Sudan, to announce it had agreed to normalize relations with Israel.
