Baron Cohen as 'The Dictator' at Oscars
Photo: AFP
Star-studded Hollywood delegation to visit Israel
Sacha Baron Cohen, Harvey Keitel to attend Tel Aviv film festival; Omar Epps to head delegation of stars invited as part of effort to boost Israel's image
Sacha Baron Cohen and Harvey Keitel are among a host of Hollywood stars who are expected to arrive in Israel this coming month, the Yedioth Ahronoth daily reported Thursday.
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A delegation of nine movie and television stars is expected to land at Ben Gurion Airport on Sunday. The visit is being organized by the Ministry of Immigrant Absorption as part of Israel's effort to improve its image abroad.
The delegation is expected to include actor Omar Epps of "House" fame, Paul Johansson, who starred in "One Tree Hill," and Holt McCallany from "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit."
The group is expected to tour Jerusalem, Tel Aviv and the Galilee region, and meet with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Absorption Minister Yuli Edelstein, as well as with several media personalities.
At their request, the stars will also visit absorption centers for Ethiopian immigrants.
"The best way to boost Israel's image is to present life here as it really is," Minister Edelstein said.
The Tel Aviv International Student Film Festival, which is scheduled to open June 2, will host even bigger stars: British-Jewish comedian Sacha Baron Cohen, best known for creating the popular Borat, Ali G and Bruno characters, and renowned actor Harvey Keitel.
Baron Cohen's new film, "The Dictator," will open the festival with a special screening at the Wohl Amphitheater. Keitel, who acted in classics such as "Mean Streets," "Reservoir Dogs" and "Taxi Driver," is expected serve as the chairman of the festival's jury.
