Brighton: Jewish community group holds Hanukkah event in Old Steine

Members of the Jewish and Proud group brought together members of the Brighton Jewish community to mark the third night of Hanukkah on Saturday, December 9.

The Jewish festival also served as an opportunity for speakers to mark the events of October 7 with some calling for their family members to be released as hostages by Hamas militants.

Adam Ma'anit holding a sign with the face of his cousin who is being held hostage (Image: The Argus)

Heidi Bachram, one of the organisers of the event, said: “There has been a lot of aggression and hatefulness and we wanted to push back against the darkness and bring some light.

“We don’t want Jewish people to feel that they have to hide in their homes. We can still celebrate and stand together visible and strong. We’re here and we’re not going anywhere.”

Speakers from the Jewish and Proud group told of how family members had been killed in the October 7 attacks while others remained hostages in Gaza.

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Adam Ma’anit, a British-Israeli man who spoke at the event, told The Argus how his cousin, Tsachi, had been kidnapped by Hamas militants.

He added that another of his cousins had been shot and killed on October 7. The events were livestreamed on social media after Hamas militants took control of a family member’s social media.

He said: “It’s the worst nightmare. Every day is torturous.

“They’ve ruined lives and taken him hostage and he [Tsachi] is now captive in Gaza.”

Onlookers with flags at the protest (Image: The Argus)

Other speakers at the event included members of a Brighton Israeli LGBTQ+ group as well as Palestinian peace activists and representatives from Ukrainian refugee group Stand for Ukraine.

Multiple rallies and vigils have been held by both pro-Israel and pro-Palestine groups in Brighton since the October 7 attacks.

In Hove, vigils have been held in Palmeira Square and outside Hove Town Hall to remember those killed in the attacks.

Last week a pro-Palestinian protest group blockaded an arms factory in Moulsecoomb over claims that parts made at the site were being used in the type of fighter jets used in the conflict.