Elkana Friedman from Israel wins International Bible Contest

Fourteen-year-old Israeli Elkana Friedman wins the annual International Bible Contest held in Jerusalem every year to mark Israel’s Independence Day.

Friedman, from the West Bank settlement of Beit El, beats 15 other competitors to claim the prize.

The final is attended by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Knesset Speaker Yuli Edelstein, Education Minister Naftali Bennett, Jewish Agency Chairman Natan Sharansky and Education Ministry Director-General Michal Cohen.

Congratulating the winner, Netanyahu says: “I just came from a meeting with outstanding soldiers, and when asked what I would like to see from here on, I answered: ‘Love of Israel and love of the Bible.'”

The runner-up in this year’s contest, Tehila Matas, is the sister of last year’s winner, Eyal Matas.

The winner is awarded a four-year scholarship to Bar-Ilan University, near Tel Aviv.