International Bible Quiz Set for Next Week

JERUSALEM, Israel -- Contestants are gearing up for this year's International Bible Quiz, held annually on Yom Ha'atzmaut, Israel's equivalent of the Fourth of July, this year falling on Tuesday, May 6.

The State of Israel, reestablished on May 14, 1948 (according to the Gregorian calendar) after nearly two millennia, turns 66 this year.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Education Minister Rabbi Shai Piron met Tuesday with the 75 contestants hailing from 33 countries, including the United States, Australia, Portugal, France, Belgium, Brazil, Costa Rica and Turkey.

After contestants take a series of tests, the top 16 will compete in this year's contest.

Netanyahu welcomed the Bible students.

"The Land of Israel is your land and the land of the entire Jewish people," he told them on Tuesday. "The Bible is everyone's book. It is our history and it contains our values, beliefs, aspirations and prayers. The Bible is the book of the Jewish people of which you are a part. I wish you great success. The most important thing that you must remember is that this is your land, your state, your people and your book."

The education minister also addressed this year's participants.

"The State of Israel is the home of the entire Jewish people," Rabbi Piron said. "It is very moving to know that in the middle of the school year, 71 young people have left their homes in the Diaspora to come here to compete in a Bible quiz in Israel because they understand that Independence Day is not only Israelis' holiday, but a holiday for every Jew in the world," he said, calling their visit "a victory for the spirit of the Jewish people, for the Bible."

The four Israeli winners of last month's Bible quiz will also compete in this year's event.

Click here to learn more about the International Bible Contest.