WATCH: lion attacks Israeli aid worker on safari

He said: "It was absolutely terrifying, for the first time in my life I felt real fear, and the power of the lioness. Out of instinct, I grabbed my kippa so that it wouldn't fly off."

Locals beat the lion back and Mr Meshi-Zahav escaped unscathed.

"All I needed was a tetanus injection at the local clinic to prevent any infection from the scratches," he said.

He continued: "And of course, when the lion attacked me, I was reminded of the verse 'Judah is a lion’s cub; from the prey, my son, you have gone up. He stooped down; he crouched as a lion and as a lioness; who dares rouse him? (Genesis 49:9)

"'Do not be afraid o Israel, fear not, for are you not a lion’s cub.'"