Muslim American leaders visiting Israel joined Jewish and interfaith figures at a Hanukkah menorah-lighting ceremony in Tel Aviv last week, in a public display of solidarity and opposition to antisemitism.
The event, hosted by the Combat Antisemitism Movement (CAM) and Barzel Media, marked the fourth night of Hanukkah and took place at the Riverside venue in Tel Aviv’s HaYarkon Park. More than 200 people attended.
Among the participants were Anila Ali, founder and president of the American Muslim and Multifaith Women’s Empowerment Council (AMMWEC); UAE-based linguist and peace activist Loay Alshareef; Jewish American entertainer and social media influencer Montana Tucker; and Shira Ruderman, executive director of the Ruderman Family Foundation.
Before the menorah lighting, attendees observed a moment of silence in memory of the victims of the Bondi Beach massacre in Australia earlier this week.
Speaking at the ceremony, CAM CEO Sacha Roytman Dratwa said Hanukkah carries a message that resonates strongly in the current global climate.
“Hanukkah is a moment in our history when we needed to rebuild ourselves after very difficult times,” Roytman Dratwa said. “It is about celebrating our light and never allowing hatred and darkness to win.”
“This is the Jewish people,” he added. “This is who we are.”
Ali, who is leading a delegation of Muslim American leaders on a CAM-organized solidarity mission to Israel, said her goal was to encourage genuine partnership between Muslim and Jewish communities.
“Our goal is for Jewish people across the United States to have Muslim partners,” she said. “Partners who are authentic, resilient, and tough. Partners who are going to fight with them.”
Ali also addressed the Jewish historical and religious connection to Israel, describing it as indisputable.
“The Jewish connection to Israel can never be disputed,” she said. “Read the Quran. Read all the verses where God speaks to Moses and says, ‘Bring your people and reside therein forever.’ What God has given you, nobody can take away.”
Declaring herself “a very proud Zionist,” Ali emphasized that her stance was rooted in faith rather than politics. “That is not political for me,” she said. “It is faith.”
“So let’s all be really strong,” she concluded. “Be proud. We are with you.”
Alshareef echoed similar sentiments, arguing that Israel’s legitimacy is anchored in history shared by Judaism, Christianity, and Islam.
“My love for Israel is not because of how great the country is, or how friendly the people are, or how good the food is,” he said. “The greatest thing about Israel is that its history can never be disputed among the three great religions of this world.”
He warned that Muslim silence allows others to misrepresent both Israel and Islam.
“Muslims like us have to speak out,” Alshareef said. “Because if we don’t, others will speak on our behalf, and they will distort everything.”
“If you delegitimize Israel, you delegitimize the faith,” he added. “Our faith is based on prophets, kings, and heroes who lived in this land and called it Israel.”
Sheikh Musa Drammeh, president of Muslims Israel Dialogue, a New York–based initiative, said Muslim American engagement with Israel plays a critical role in strengthening international recognition of Israeli sovereignty.
“We have to find new ways of making sure that all the nations of the world recognize Israel’s sovereignty,” Drammeh said. “That begins with Muslim Americans coming here, seeing it for themselves, and speaking about it as ambassadors.”
Tucker called on participants to continue working together to counter misinformation about Israel.
“Let’s continue to do great work together to show the world the truth about who Israelis are and what Israel is,” she said.
Reflecting on the Bondi Beach attack, Ruderman said antisemitic violence harms entire societies, not only Jewish communities.
“They are shooting Jews, which is bad enough,” she said. “But they are also shooting the fabric of Australia, just as they are shooting the fabric of other countries around the world.”
“Our kids are here in Israel, fighting not only to defend Israel, but to defend democracies and freedom,” Ruderman added. “What’s needed now is bravery — being clear about our enemies, standing with our allies, and being proud of Israel.”