Media coverage of Israel often focuses on conflict and violence in the region, but a legislator in the Knesset is embarking on an image campaign to bring awareness of Israeli culture to the world.
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Now, Yisrael Beytenu MK Yossi Shain seeks to create a council to promote Israel's arts overseas.
At a Knesset event titled Enhancing Israel's Reputation and Promoting Its Culture Among Nations, Shain and a number of notable creatives discussed the importance of advancing the state's cultural presence abroad.
"We have in Israel, in literature, in arts, in film, in every aspect of creation, unique artists and people of talent, and it's time for the state itself to help facilitate… (in) enhancing this culture, which is already gaining such momentum around the globe," Shain told i24NEWS.
Actress Gal Gadot also offered her support at the conference through a video.
"Culture is an export that is used to spread Israeli talent around the globe," Gadot said.
Other attendees urged the world to recognize Israel's diversity and talent.
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"Israeli cinema is very vibrant, it's very interesting. But more and more we encounter [a] reality whereby, you know, festivals worldwide… operate under strict PC rules," film director Avi Nesher said. "Only if you understand how diverse this country is, and how open it is, do you understand that we are not the apartheid country that some people are trying to portray us as."
This article was first published by i24NEWS.
