"Yesterday, I blessed our Arab citizens because they had their holiday which is called Eid Al-Adha, a holiday of good will. Tomorrow, I am going to bless our Christian citizens; they are going to have Christmas. But now, it’s the time of Chanukah, 
Light and peace are the two things on which Jewish heritage are based.
our own holiday; full of light, full of optimism, full of hope," President Peres said, speaking in English. "Not that everything is so easy and promising, but it’s a clear declaration that finally light will win the day."
Peres noted the dangers facing Israel at the present time, specifying the Iranian threat, but he said he is an optimist. "I have the right to be one. Most of the things we have hoped for came true. We continue to hope they will come true as well," the president said.
"We would like to be a contributing people. We can be a contributing people not only in science and technology, but also in peace and promise. The greatest of them is that all children - ours, the Arabs’, the Christians’ - will arrive to a day when their mothers do not have to worry about their safety, which means peace."
Returning to the Chanukah theme, President Peres said: "Light and peace are the two things on which Jewish heritage are based." He concluded with the blessing "Happy Chanukah" in English and Hebrew.
The President's Office encouraged viewers to screen the president's video greeting in Jewish communities around the world, and to embed the video or link to it on Jewish websites. The President's Office also asked that viewers from around the world share their own candle lighting and blessings with the president through his Youtube channel.
"Through the channel the president hopes to strengthen the ties between Jews inside and outside Israel," a statement from the President's Office said. "Viewers are encouraged to reply to the president’s message with their own comments and video responses."
Muslims and Jews: 'Long History of Cooperation'
On November 26, President Peres offered his official greetings to Israel's Muslim community in honor of Eid Al-Adha ("the Festival of the Sacrifice").
"On the eve of the Eid Al-Adha festival, on behalf of the State of Israel and its entire people, I convey my best and warmest wishes to those of Islamic faith," the president said in a statement.
Eid Al-Adha is an annual holiday in which Muslims celebrate the willingness of the patriarch Abraham to slaughter his chosen son upon an altar at G-d's behest. That son was ultimately spared and replaced with a ram. However, the Torah account of the story places Isaac, son of Sarah as that son - the Muslims say it was Ishmael, son of Hagar, the half-brother of Isaac. The celebration of Eid Al-Adha, though a home and hearth holiday for Muslims, also celebrates a historical account at odds with that of the Jews.
"The Jewish and Islamic religions share a faith in one Lord and an adherence to fundamental values of truth, justice and peace," Peres claimed. "From this common ground we believe beautiful fruit can grow." He added his hope, in the name of the citizens of the State of Israel, "that the Eid Al-Adha festivities will see the attainment of peace in our region."
Muslims and Jews, the president concluded, "have a long history of cooperation. Only peace can ensure the prosperity and well-being of all our people."