PM rides camels, Kahlon swims with sharks

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his family on Wednesday joined the hundreds of thousands of Israelis visiting Israel’s parks and nature reserves during the week-long Passover holiday.

Netanyahu, his wife Sara and their two adult sons Yair and Avner spent the day in the Negev desert hiking, riding camels and visiting the ruins of the ancient Nabatean city of Mamshit.

Kulanu party leader Moshe Kahlon also took advantage of the holiday and spent Wednesday diving with sharks at the Underwater Observatory Marine Park in Eilat. Kahlon, together with an instructor, was seen exploring the underwater coral reefs and exotic fish in the open-sea observatory.

During his trip, the prime minister wished Israelis a happy holiday and sent his good wishes to the two soldiers injured in a stabbing attack earlier that day.

“I would like to thank all the soldiers, Border Police and security forces who keep us safe every day, even on this day,” he said. “I would like to take this opportunity to wish a speedy recovery to the two injured soldiers who acted with courage and determination to thwart the attack,” he said.

During the family outing, Netanyahu went on to say he concurred with the view that US President Barack Obama presented a day earlier during an NPR interview, in which Obama appeared to acknowledge that Iran will be able to break out to the bomb as soon as the nuclear agreement expires.

“Israel shares the view that with the expiry of the nuclear agreement between Iran and world powers, Iran’s breakout time for acquiring nuclear bombs will be zero,” Netanyahu said in a video message.

Netanyahu, who is an outspoken critic of the US-led nuclear accords with Iran, reiterated his concerns regarding Iran being allowed to continue uranium enrichment under the terms of the emerging deal.

“The alternative to this bad agreement is not a war; the alternative is a good agreement,” Netanyahu said. “This can be achieved but one must stand firm and demand the conditions necessary to safeguard the security of the State of Israel, the security of the region and the security of the world.”