Last May, Israel and Jerusalem, in particular, welcomed some of America’s top TV stars: Omar Epps, who stars in “House”; Mekhi Phifer, formerly of “ER”; Holly Robinson Peete, who appeared in the hit television series “Hangin’ with Mr. Cooper” and “21 Jump Street,” as well as actors Paul Johansson, “One Tree Hill”; AnnaLynne McCord, “Nip/Tuck”; Holt McCallany, “CSI Miami”; Zach Roerig, “Vampire Diaries”; and Paget Brewster, “Criminal Minds.”
“The arrival of these American celebrities attests to Israel’s growing reputation as a world-class travel destination,” said Haim Gutin, Israel Commissioner for Tourism, North and South America, “during what is on track to be the best year ever for travel to Israel.” His comments appeared on Israel’s Ministry of Tourism website.
The group will visit Old City historic sites in Jerusalem, among other attractions around Israel. The tour was hosted by the Israel Ministry of Tourism, and sponsored by the Israel Ministry of Public Affairs and Diaspora, El Al Israel Airlines and the Israel Foreign Ministry in coordination with America’s Voices in Israel.
American Rockers Linkin Park Tour the Old City of Jerusalem before their
performance at Hayarkon Park in Tel-Aviv.
Photo: Ministry of Tourism website
Of course, here and abroad, most movie fans know the connection between Natalie Portman and Jerusalem: the illustrious actress was born in Jerusalem and she is very proud of it.
In February 2011, American actress Claire Danes, accompanied by her
husband, English actor Hugh Dancy, traveled to Jerusalem on the actresses’
first visit to Israel to film the Showtime television series “Homeland,” based
on the Israeli series “Prisoners of War.” Photo: Ministry of Tourism website
About five years ago, there was lots of buzz when the Associated Press reported in Haaretz that the American Jewish comedian Jerry Seinfeld arrived in Israel in the first stop on a world tour to promote his animated film, Bee Movie.
“It was the 53-year-old’s second visit to the country. He volunteered on a kibbutz in northern Israel in 1970,” according to the Associated Press.
“Seinfeld met with President Shimon Peres and then toured Jerusalem’s Old City near the Western Wall, part of the Temple Mount complex which is Jews’ holiest site, and made a stop at the Yad Vashem Holocaust memorial and museum,” the newspaper reported.
Seinfeld explained his movie to Peres by saying, “It’s about a bee who’s not sure that he wants to go into honey,” Seinfeld said, as Peres laughed. “They tell him he has no choice,” the newspaper reported.
To catch the latest news of American celebrities visiting Jerusalem or other Israeli destinations, visit America’s Voices in Israel and the Ministry of Tourism’s websites.