 |
| Bar Refaeli |
The sexy Jewish Israeli supermodel, Bar Refaeli, was chosen as the new spokesperson of the State of Israel, according to press reports in Israel.
However, the recent decision of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to use supermodel Bar Refaeli use its new spokesperson in a new public diplomacy campaign has been criticized by local advocacy groups, who claim that using her would do a disservice to the State of Israel.
Refaeli was chosen last month to headline a new Israeli public diplomacy campaign highlighting how Israel’s technological advances and inventions contribute to the daily lives of millions of people worldwide.
The Legal Forum for the Land of Israel and the Judicial Zionism students’ Forum have appealed to the Foreign Ministry Director General Rafi Barak to cancel the new campaign, saying that Refaeli, who did not serve in the Israel Defense Forces, is not the right person to represent the country.
Refaeli, postponed her compulsory IDF service saying that it would interfere with her career as an international supermodel. She was granted a deferment of service in 2002, but her second request was denied. In 2003, when the military ordered her to report for duty, she married a family acquaintance in order to obtain exemption from service. The couple divorced within weeks, as soon as her exemption was secured.
A statement from the Foreign Ministry said: “Refaeli is considered one of the most beautiful women in the world and is widely recognized as an Israeli. There is no reason to bring up the past when it comes to a campaign of public diplomacy of this kind."