At White House Hanukkah Party, Trump Promises "Israel Will Not Be Alone" |

President Donald Trump hosted a spirited Hanukkah lighting ceremony at the White House on Wednesday night, using the platform to reaffirm ironclad American support for Israel on its northern front, declare a new era of regional peace, and issue sharp warnings regarding rising antisemitism in the halls of Congress.

Addressing a room filled with Jewish leaders, political allies, and donors, the President touched on multiple fronts of the current geopolitical landscape. Regarding the ongoing tensions with Hezbollah, Trump offered a definitive assurance: "Hezbollah is a serious problem, and if necessary, Israel will handle them, and they won't be doing it alone. Many countries will join, not just Israel."

The event, which took place against the backdrop of a tragic terror attack at a Hanukkah celebration in Sydney, Australia, saw Trump offering prayers for the victims. Reports indicate 16 people were murdered in the Sydney attack, which Trump described as a "terrible, terrible antisemitic attack."

He linked the violence to the denial of the October 7 atrocities, stating he had forced himself to watch the footage of the massacre. "There is no way to deny it," he said. "Bad things happen, and we will not let that happen."

Trump touted the current status of the region as one of historic stability, claiming, "We have peace in the Middle East." He cited the support of 59 nations for a recent agreement and issued a direct warning to Hamas regarding the ceasefire: "If Hamas behaves badly, they are in big trouble."

Trump with Miriam Adelson at Hanukkah Party

Reflecting on the hostage situation, the President celebrated the return of captives, noting, "One by one, we brought them back," though he mentioned the "last one" remains. He also highlighted American military involvement in the broader conflict, revealing details about US B-2 bombers striking targets in Iran and assisting in the interception of drone attacks.

In a shift to domestic politics, Trump offered a blunt assessment of the political landscape in Washington. He warned the attendees that the once-dominant influence of the pro-Israel lobby is waning. "For 10-15 years, the Jewish lobby was the strongest in Washington. That is no longer true," he cautioned.

He placed the blame squarely on what he termed an "antisemitic" Congress, specifically naming members of "The Squad" such as Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Ilhan Omar. "Congress has become antisemitic," Trump declared, contrasting the current climate with the era of his father, Fred Trump, who he noted maintained close ties with the Jewish community.

The atmosphere at the event was celebratory despite the serious topics. The President invited Miriam Adelson, a mega-donor to his campaign, to the stage. Trump quipped about her $250 million contribution, joking that due to inflation, "250 million is not what it used to be." Adelson, echoing legal scholar Alan Dershowitz, suggested that Trump deserves a third term, a sentiment that prompted chants of "Four more years" from the assembled crowd.

"As President of the United States, I will always be a friend to the Jewish people," Trump concluded, tying the holiday's message to the current struggle. "The Hanukkah story reminds us that light will always overcome darkness, and faith will overcome fear."