Activists from the Otzma Yehudit and Lehava organizations protested on Wednesday night outside a Jerusalem community center hosting a multi-faith "Hanukkah" celebration which included a celebration of Mohammed's birthday, as well as Santa Claus and Christmas trees.
The protesters called the participants "Hellenists" and told them to "go back to Greece." Otzma Yehudit leader Baruch Marzel said the celebration represents the exact opposite of the entire story of Hanukkah, when the Maccabees fought every attempt to integrate foreign religions and values into Judaism.
Otzma Yehudit CEO Tzvi Succot said, "One of the heroic stories of Hanukkah is that of Hannah and her seven sons, who were murdered for refusing to even seem to act in accordance with any other religion. And here, we're opening our front door and mixing everything up."
Succot added, "If Hannah were here today, I don't know how she would manage."
One of the women running the celebration attacked Succot in an attempt to grab his cellular phone from him. However, Israel Police officers at the scene refused to detain her, allowing the violent woman to escape the scene.
Several of the activists who attempted to enter the community center were physically forced away from the area.