(29 Dec 2005) SHOTLIST
1. Wide of people gathered nearby the Iranian embassy in Rome
2. Group of demonstrators, one wearing an Israeli scarf
3. Close-up of Iranian flag on the embassy building
4. Chandelier
5. SOUNDBITE (Italian) Riccardo di Segni, Rome's Chief Rabbi:
"Our presence here is simply to testify that we do exist, against those who deny our past and our future"
6. Enrico Gasbarra, President of Rome's province, lighting up a candle
7. Close-up of candle
8. Jewish representative lighting up a candle
9. Close-up of Riccardo di Segni, Rome's Chief Rabbi
10. Di segni lighting up a candle
11. Representatives in front of chandelier
12. Close-up of representatives in front of chandelier
13. Chandelier with Riccardo di Segni talking to journalists behind
14. Wide of demonstration
STORYLINE
Dozens of people celebrated the fourth day of the Jewish festival of Hanukkah on Wednesday in front of the Iranian embassy in Rome.
Jewish students and representatives of the Roman Jewish community gathered outside the embassy building in the cold evening to protest against the recent declarations of Iranian President, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, who recently said the Holocaust was a myth and called for Israel to be "wiped off the map".
The president of Rome's province, Enrico Gasbarra, was the first to lit up a candle of the menorah, the traditional chandelier with 9 branches.
Eight candles represent each day of Hanukkah while a taller one in the middle, the 'shamash', is used to light the others.
Each evening of Hanukkah, one more candle is lit, with a special blessing.
Riccardo di Segni, Rome's Chief Rabbi, who attended the ceremony, said that the demo was meant to defend Israel's right to exist: "Our presence here is simply to testify that we do exist, against those who deny our past and our future," he said.
The Hanukkah, known as the "Festival of Lights", starts on the 25th day of the Jewish calendar and lasts for eight days and nights.
Hanukkah, whose name means 'dedication', commemorates an ancient victory of Jewish forces in the Holy Land against foreign conquerors.
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