White House Hanukkah Reception Raises Concerns Amidst Surge in Antisemitism

Several family members of American hostages believed to have been taken by Hamas were not invited to a Hanukkah reception at the White House, despite being in Washington, DC, and requesting to attend. The reception, hosted by President Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden, will include Holocaust survivors, lawmakers, and Jewish leaders. There are still eight American hostages unaccounted for since the Israel-Hamas war began, and the families have expressed anxiety over the lack of progress. The Biden administration continues to be in contact with Israeli, Qatari, and Egyptian counterparts to secure the release of the hostages.