'Loyal ambassadors of Israel'
Photo: Gil Yohanan
Netanyahu inspired by son, reading more Bible
Prime minister hosts participants of International Bible Contest, which will take place on Independence Day. During meeting, Netanyahu extols holiness of Jerusalem, and says he is learning more Bible in footsteps of his son Avner, who is contending in this year's contest
"Jerusalem is the city of the Bible, and the Bible is the book of life. It is the story of the people of Israel' s life," said Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu Wednesday at a meeting held in his office for the contestants in the International Bible Contest.
Netanyahu's son, Avner, is a contestant in this year's contest after he won the contest on the state school level, making it to the finals.
Netanyahu with his son, Avner (Photo: Gil Yohanan)
At the beginning of the meeting, the prime minister wished his son good luck. Netanyahu said that recently he has been reading more and more Bible on a weekly basis, often under Avner's guidance.
Bible contest contenders in Netanyahu's office Wednesday (Photo: Gil Yohanan)
The prime minister told the contest contenders, "Whoever reached this point is a Bible champion. One cannot get here without investing yourselves and delving into the stories themselves. We are in the process of encouraging and strengthening bible studies. This is the idea that we are applying within Israel, and I am happy it is also being discussed abroad. It is important that you learn Bible and that you 'think about it day and night.' Continue to study even after the competition."
'We will be Israel's ambassadors around the world'
During the meeting, each one of the contestants introduced himself. Netanyahu was in an amused mood, but when his son's turn came to introduce himself, his face grew serious.
Contestants around the world have arrived in Israel for the competition and have spent the past few days at a camp arranged for the quiz contenders. Shoni Michkei from Hungary promised Netanyahu in the name of the contestants, "When each of us returns to his country, we will be loyal ambassadors of the State of Israel."
The boy also referred to Holocaust Remembrance Day, and said that the spreading Holocaust denial throughout the world is of great concern. "My friends and I will do everything in our capacity to destroy this phenomenon," he assured.
