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26 Oscar stars reject invitation to visit Israel
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A year ago Israel offered Leonardo DiCaprio, Matt Damon and other Hollywood stars all-expenses paid luxury trips, but it seems they have chosen to miss their cues.
Campaigners are claiming victory as it appears none of the 26 Oscars stars offered a free personalized tour valued at up to US$55,000 has visited.
The offer, part of gift bags given out by a marketing firm around the time of the 2016 Oscars each worth an estimated US$200,000 and including other items such as ultra-expensive toilet paper, sparked a backlash.
Campaign groups accused Israel of trying to use the celebrities to gain positive coverage and downplay alleged abuses in the occupied Palestinian territories.
A few days ahead of the 2017 ceremony on Sunday, it appears none of the nominees has visited themselves.
Hunger Games star Jennifer Lawrence did take up the offer but gave it to her parents, said the agency that came up with the idea.
“This is a success,” said Yousef Munayyer of the US Campaign for Palestinian Rights, which ran the campaign against the visits along with American organization Jewish Voice for Peace.
“I am very glad there’s no evidence that people went. I think it is clear the objective of using the actors to whitewash Israel has failed.”
Given several days notice, Israel’s tourism ministry declined to comment or confirm which celebrities had taken up the offer.
Ahead of the 2016 Oscars, in which DiCaprio scooped best actor for The Revenant, Israel’s tourism ministry said the nominees for the top five prizes as well as host Chris Rock would be offered individually tailored trips, including first class flights and luxury hotels.
Israeli officials said they were seeking to show the real Israel at a time of conflict.
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