Steve Ornstein: Unmasking the Lies and Confronting the Hate During Hanukkah 2025
Dear readers,
As I sit here in my home in Israel on this eighth night of Hanukkah 2025, watching the menorah candles flicker with their enduring light, my heart aches deeply. The festival of lights reminds us of miracles, resilience, and the triumph of truth over darkness—yet today, that very light feels under attack from waves of misinformation and surging hatred. As an Israeli who lives this reality every day, and as the voice behind israelseen.com, I feel compelled to speak from the heart. These distortions aren’t just headlines; they wound our nation, fuel ancient prejudices, and threaten the safety of Jews worldwide. Tonight, during this sacred time, I want to share a heartfelt pro-Israel perspective on the latest fabricated stories targeting our country and the heartbreaking rise of global antisemitism. This is more than analysis—it’s a plea for truth, solidarity, and the unyielding spirit of Am Yisrael Chai.
The Latest Fabrications: A Campaign of Deception
In recent weeks, we’ve seen a relentless barrage of false narratives aimed at demonizing Israel. The persistent “famine in Gaza” claim remains one of the most painful modern blood libels, repeated despite abundant evidence of aid flowing in and no actual famine existing. It’s not spread out of ignorance, but to criminalize Israel’s very existence and right to self-defence.
We’ve also witnessed outright fabrications, like reports falsely claiming Israeli police stormed a Christmas celebration in Haifa, arresting and beating Christians. In truth, police were ensuring security in our beautifully diverse city of coexistence, detaining only a handful of disruptors to protect the event. How tragic that moments of harmony here in Israel are twisted into propaganda.
Then there are the AI-generated deepfakes and coordinated influence operations flooding social media—staged incidents, phony networks linked to hostile states, and conspiracy theories from “false flag” accusations to debunked links between sports fans and military actions. These aren’t accidents; they’re part of a deliberate war on truth, designed to isolate Israel and incite violence against Jews everywhere.
From my daily life here in Israel, I see the real story: a nation innovating, rebuilding after attacks, facilitating humanitarian aid amid conflict, and extending hands for peace. Yet these lies paint us as monsters. My heart breaks knowing how they erode trust and endanger lives.
The Heart-Wrenching Rise of Global Antisemitism
These fabrications don’t exist in isolation—they’re the spark igniting a global explosion of antisemitism. Reports show incident after incident: surges in hate crimes, online venom, and physical attacks—from Europe to Australia to North America. Jewish communities are living in fear, with schools, synagogues, and homes targeted simply for being Jewish.
During Hanukkah, especially, when we publicly display our menorahs as a symbol of light conquering darkness, the contrast with this rising hate feels unbearable. We’ve seen vile conspiracies spread even about attacks on Jews, with some claiming they were staged to garner sympathy. This isn’t criticism of policy—it’s pure, ancient hatred reborn in digital form.
Here in Israel, we remain the safest place for Jews in the world, a refuge built on miracles much like the Hanukkah story itself. Our Christian communities continue to thrive and grow, our diverse society stands as a model of coexistence, and our innovations bless the world. Yet the lies persist, feeding the hate that drives Jews to make Aliyah in increasing numbers.
A Heartfelt Call from Israel: Let the Light of Truth Prevail
My dear friends, writing this from Israel on Hanukkah fills me with both sorrow and unbreakable hope. The same light that burned miraculously for eight days thousands of years ago still burns in our hearts today. Israel endures because of that light—our resilience, our truth, our unwavering commitment to life and goodness.
We must fight back with that same light: by sharing facts relentlessly, supporting honest voices that reveal the real Israel, and standing united against hatred in all its forms. Visit israelseen.com to join me in unveiling the beauty, innovation, and truth of this land. Fact-check, speak up, educate others, and never let the darkness win.
This Hanukkah, let us rededicate ourselves—just as the Maccabees did—to defending truth and spreading light.
With love, hope, and solidarity from Israel,
Your friend at israelseen.com
Chag Chanukah Sameach – Am Yisrael Chai!
