Phroarrr, no wonder Katzav couldn't help himself. If my secretary looked liked that.... If those are the women of the IDF, they can invade my country any time!

( . ) ( . )

Looks good to me. This photo is sure more inviting to visit Israel than all the publicity of the Gay parades.

SHTUPi SHTUPi

would say anything negative about this, all the left wing liberals would be up in arms calling them sexist and behind the times.

If this is the of type decision making by our representatives abroad, its not surprising we are no longer respected. An image suitable for a commercial calendar is not a dignified message, in addition to its vulgar objectification of womens' bodies.

David Saranga is to be congratulated on seeking to appeal to that part of men aged 18-38 that will always respond to semi-naked women. Israel's image is so tarnished these days, what's wrong with trying something new?

If those nasty Haredim had the nerve to protest such an ad, garbage like Zahava Gal-On would have been leading the charge to defend "freedom of speech" and denouncing supposed "religious coercion." The rabid talkbackers would have slammed the parasitic Haredim to "leave us all alone." For some reason, it's all okay when the protesters are left-wing female MKs.

There are some who want to appeal to 'gays.' Others want to appeal to oversexed males! Why can't there be a collage kind of picture showing various aspects of Israel: a beach scene, Jerusalem, the Golan, Eilat, Tel Aviv night life, etc. Something for everybody!

When these ladies talk about emphasizing women's accomplishments, are they perhaps alluding to themselves? Well, I don't see them as much of an example - Ms Bar-On ceaselessly works to weaken our country & Ms Avital laying a wreath at Arafat's tomb was more pornographic than the scantily clad model. Lighten up, ladies, your politically correct BS is pretty hypocritical. You want to criticise how Israel advertises tourism, stick to professional judgements as to what works - is it an efficient & effective campaign or not.

I am not at all surprised. That is Israel. Conducts business without comprehending the consequences. If there is money to be made, GO FOR IT.

I'm glad that all the women MKs are sticking up for women's dignity and showing that this sort of thing is not a "religious-secular" issue. Good that there's a reaction to ridiculous behavior by Israeli officialdom, some of which has now picked up on the idea that the solution to our PR problem is displaying enough naked Israeli women. This is the worst part of the Israeli psyche, groveling and ridiculously vulgar. Good for you, lady MKs.

tzippi livni

haven't these same MKs approved and sponsored such immorality for this Thursday in the holiest city of the world? Why all the fuss? This is the world's view of the Israeli government, courts and seculars in Israel.

So the beaches from Natania all the way down to Rishon are full of pornography ? Eilat is a pornographic town ? The Sea of Galillee is a pornographic stronghold ? I really do not understand these women. I personally would call it true and honest advertising. A perfect description of reality. Do these women realize that a lot of people in this world wish to holiday on the beach either wearing a bikini or delighting in seeing others wear one ? To call this pornography is simply outrageous.

and obviously haven't seen Brazilian swimsuits (referred to as dental floss) that have been around for at least ten years. The internet is driven (98%) and funded by sex and gambling and whether this is right or wrong, it is how it is and these MKs need to get real!! Mike

The Men instead of training were looking were they were not supposed to look Oh and they also showed their masculine Powers by throwiung out brotheres and sisters from Gush Latif

Usually this kind of thing makes me angry, but this is too weird to be taken seriously. Maybe it's the afternoon hour. What's up with this country. It's soooo hillarious, is it for real?! Sorry to disapoint the two 'gentlemen' above, but most of the IDF women soldiers look nothing like this babe. So take a cold shower.

Pictures of really great and intelligent women in nice business suites won't get the attention that this one gets. Sex sells, nothing new about that. Human nature won't change.

Almost.

"We found that Israel's image among men aged 18-38 is lacking," explained David Saranga, consul for media and public affairs at the consulate, "so we thought we'd approach them with an image they'd find appealing." As a male, I find this is typical of Israel's outdated and unimaginative macho approach to advertising, PR and marketing. There is much more to interest male travelers in Israel than beautiful, bikini-clad women. Israel can do better!

of the world? You are a nation different from all others. You are supposed to be a light to them but instead you have become like them. Shame on you.

As a woman in the Israeli Defense Forces I'm really disgusted by this. We are constantly fighting for equality and respect in the army. It's a disgrace that we female soldiers are now being displayed to the world as nothing but hot bodies.

In the 1950s, chareidi rabbis led the fight against conscription of girls into the IDF. They were attacked at the time, and in many circles they are still attacked for their 'primitive' thinking and lack of sophistication. Yet, here we have the Israeli government proudly proclaiming that its female soldiers are best depicted by a nearly naked woman lying on a slab of concrete. This, of course, is what is on the minds not only of this PR man but of many of the secular elite, who wish to abuse naive young Jewish girls for their gratification. And we wonder why the State of Israel angers religious radicals so much that they launch a holy war against it? The bell tolls for thee, as Nobel laureat Prof. Aumann recently warned. We must change Israeli society, all of us, and reject the debasement of our daughters by these fiends!

-Gaza -West Bank -The economy -Why the average salary in Israel is so low -Why there are rocket attacks in Sderot STILL going on -Why there was a couple of rockets launched into Kirayat Shmona yesterday. It's simple- a woman in a bikini is a marketing tool. Worry about the trafficking of women... Ms. Israel was probably paid a hefty sum of money and although she is half dressed, the shot is tasteful.