Jeremy Corbyn has sent his Chanukah greetings to the Jewish community in a message posted on YouTube.

In a video timed to go live just before the start of the festival on Saturday, the Labour leader described Chanukah as the “first national liberation struggle in recorded history” and quoted the renowned Jewish religious leader, Hillel.

In the 53-second film https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1VD8ZoZwROs&feature=youtu.be Mr Corbyn says: "As you light candles in the darkest days of the year, I remember that this is a festival celebrating the first national liberation struggle in recorded history.  

“A small band of Jews were inspired by their history of rebelling against slavery held out against an empire defending their people and traditions against oppression and injustice.

“Later, Hillel was to encapsulate the spirit of Chanukah when he said ““If I am not for me, who is for me; and if I am only for myself, what am I. And if not now, when?”

“So along with the celebrations, we remember the history of Chanukah and in that spirit we resolve to defeat oppression."