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ISRAEL USES SEX TO SELL

Israelmilitary

NEW YORK OFFICIALS representing Israel abroad have got themselves into hot water for instigating a magazine shoot of female soldiers branded 'pornographic' by the nation's female MPs.

The men's magazine Maxim carried pictures of four former soldiers in their underwear in an article headlined The Women of the Israeli Defence Force after being contacted by the Israeli consulate in New York as part of its broader campaign to improve Israel's image abroad.

But Israeli MPs criticised the move. Zahava Gal On, the leader of the Meretz party, said she was saddened at 'the use of naked women who are treated as an object, and not as women of substance who exude achievement and success', while Colette Avital of the Labour party described the article as a 'pornographic campaign to encourage tourism', The Guardian reports today.

In a statement, the magazine - which ran the pictures in its July issue - said: 'Maxim was approached by the Israeli consulate to be a part of reshaping Israel's public image, specifically because of our unmatched mainstream reach to men aged 18 to 35. We are pleased with the result of our work together.'

Staff at the consulate said they decided the photo shoot would be a good way of promoting Israel to young Americans. Israel is keen to sell itself as a modern, western country with beaches and nightclubs rather than a nation in conflict. Most Israeli women do compulsory military service for two years from the age of 18. (21 June 2007)

Thursday 21 June 2007


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