Holy Sites or Hot Babes? Israel’s Tourism Controversy Rages On.*
Travel Blog • Jim Benning • 06.22.07 | 12:01 PM ET
We thought the Maxim photo-shoot controversy we wrote about in April was all over. We figured the whole question of whether Israel should promote tourism by inviting Maxim magazine to photograph babes in bikinis in Tel Aviv—or just stick to a more traditional campaign focusing on Holy Land sites—was finally chalked up to one of those great unanswerable questions, not unlike, say, Jon Stewart’s recent question to “A Mighty Heart” star Angelina Jolie about whether the burka she wore in Pakistan was capable of containing all of her hotness. Some questions are simply too profound for answers. But the Maxim controversy rages on.
Female members of Israel’s Knesset are reportedly outraged by the July photo spread, entitled “Women of the Israeli Defense Forces.” Said one member earlier this week: “This pornographic campaign sponsored by the Foreign and Tourism Ministries is an outrage.”
But Ambassador Arye Mekel, consul-general of Israel in New York, told the New York Daily News: “The pictures aren’t anything you wouldn’t see at a pool or a beach. Israel is always mentioned in the context of wars and violence. We want to show there is a normal life. Among the beautiful things we have are our women. We came there from 120 countries. Anytime you have a mix from any continents, you get very beautiful people. We don’t see having beautiful women as a problem.”
A party was held in New York earlier this week at Marquee—the invitation is pictured here—to celebrate the July issue. As of now, there’s no sign of it at Maxim online.
* Update June 23, 1:17 p.m. ET: More details: Maxim.com.
Related on World Hum:
* Selling Israel: A Land Rich in Holy Sites or Hot Babes in Tel Aviv?
* Holy Land Hooters
* Israel, Want to Improve Your ‘Brand’? End the Palestinian Conflict.
* Blooming in Jerusalem
* Moments of Normal
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Jim Benning is the editor and co-founder of World Hum.
joe schmoe 06.24.07 | 7:19 AM ET
thats pretty much what israeli women are good for.
juls 06.24.07 | 8:16 PM ET
Objectifying women in mens mags is not o.k. even if Ambassador Mekel believes that they are no different than women lounging poolside -(which is obviously a stretch). It is a shame because they produce outrageous opinions like those expressed above and I am sure, Joe, there are other things that these women are good for. Your mother must be so proud…
Hiking In Israel 01.14.08 | 9:47 AM ET
Hi ,
The Topic in which you have discussed is a vital one.And the examples and real facts given by you for example about Angelina Jolie was fantastic. Finally the picture in the magazine cover is amazing!!!!
cwalk 02.22.08 | 10:51 AM ET
hi , great picture , isreal very nice city
Cindy 05.16.08 | 8:04 PM ET
Wow, Hot Babes with holly places in the background may arouse a world of controversy.