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Israel, on Independence Day, hosts the International Bible Quiz, drawing students from schools around the world.

The prime minister met with contestants ahead of next week’s event, telling them, “I am leading Israel’s foreign relations to unprecedented growth. But I am doing so based on a proud and assertive national policy, not out of weakness and with a bowed head. Our relations with Germany are strong and important and will also continue as such. My policy is clear: Not to meet with diplomats who visit Israel and meet with organizations that slander IDF soldiers and seek to put our soldiers on trial as war criminals. Those same diplomats would never dream of doing this in the US or UK, or in any other place. Our soldiers are the basis of our existence. They guard us and we will guard them.”

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem/Photo Credit: Amos Ben-Gershom, GPO)