Protests Erupt at Hanukkah Celebration in Little Rock Over Mike Huckabee's Involvement

On Wednesday evening, the lighting of a Hanukkah menorah in Little Rock, Arkansas, became the focal point of a protest by anti-Israel activists and anti-Zionist Jews. The event, attended by former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee, who is set to become the U.S. Ambassador to Israel, was disrupted by groups including the progressive Jewish organization Taste of Olam Haba and Little Rock Peace for Palestine. The activists objected to Huckabee’s participation due to his known support for Christian Zionism, which they argue conflicts with Jewish values and their stance on Israel.

The protest was specifically aimed at Huckabee’s involvement with the Lubavitch of Arkansas’ public Hanukkiah lighting. According to statements on social media, the activists united to reject Huckabee’s “message of division” and instead voiced their call for unity, justice, and equality for all people in the region. The groups, in their protest, condemned what they referred to as “Christian philosemitism,” which they argue is a form of antisemitism masked by a love for Jews who align with right-wing, end-times theology.

Chabad Lubavitch responded to the disruption by continuing the traditional Hanukkah prayers, with their rendition of the “Maoz Tzur” liturgy overpowering the protesters’ chants. The group emphasized the symbolic meaning of the event, describing it as “light in the face of darkness.”

In the wake of the protest, Lubavitch of Arkansas shared a message of gratitude, thanking Huckabee, local politicians, businesses, and the community for their support during the celebration. Despite the disruption, they referred to the evening as a "beautiful first night of Hanukkah," underscoring the pride and unity of the Jewish community in Little Rock.

Huckabee, who recently expressed his holiday wishes on social media, acknowledged the mixed reactions to his involvement but reiterated his warm wishes for both Christmas and Hanukkah celebrations.

The incident highlights the growing divisions within the Jewish community regarding the intersection of politics, Israel, and religious identity, reflecting broader debates over the role of Christian Zionism in shaping U.S. foreign policy and Jewish diaspora relations.

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