While security personnel for the president were adamantly opposed to his decision to visit Sderot, President Shimon Peres insisted, feeling a need to travel south to identify with the rocket-stricken residents, to share Chanukah with them during this difficult period.

�In Gaza they are lighting rockets and in Sderot we are lighting candles. In Gaza they bring darkness and here, we bring light,� were the words uttered by the president as he lit the Chanukah menorah.

The president took part in a ceremony launching a new Osem factory in Sderot, telling participants �I am proud of residents. I cannot think of another place in the world where residents are hit with rockets but they remain unyielding in their determination to light Chanukah candles.�

During the lighting ceremony in a community center the president stated, �You cannot understand just how much pride you bring to us all�.

(Yechiel Spira � YWN Israel)