Speaking during a Hanukkah candle-lighting ceremony at his presidential palace on Monday, Andrzej Duda said that "the Hanukkah holiday is a symbol of Israel's survival through the darkest moments of history," public broadcaster Polish Radio’s IAR news agency reported.
He told the gathering that "the Jewish community around the world knows what it means to be forced to leave one's home and seek shelter elsewhere."
He thanked the Jewish community for "welcoming and supporting Ukrainian refugees" in Poland, calling this "a great act of brotherhood and humanity."
"Ukrainians are not refugees for us; they are our guests," Duda said, addressing an audience including Michael Schudrich, the Chief Rabbi of Poland.
Hanukkah, also known as the Festival of Lights, is observed for eight nights and days. This year it began at sunset on Sunday, December 18, and ends on Monday, December 26.
Hanukkah commemorates the 2nd century BCE victory of Judah Maccabee and his followers in a revolt in ancient Judea against the armies of the Seleucid Empire.
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Source: IAR, PAP, prezydent.pl