Tom Cruise, Ben Stiller, Robin Williams, Billy Crystal, and Kirk and Michael Douglas make up a list of some of the Hollywood glitterati that beginning Tuesday can be seen on giant screens in New York's Times Square sending Independence Day greetings on the 60th anniversary of Israel's establishment.
The clip, which will run every hour on the hour on four large display panels, features each celebrity appearing on their own for a few seconds.
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"We're aware of the influence that [the celebrities] filmed in the clip have on so many people around the world," said Asi Shariv, Israel's Consul General in New York. "Their connection with Israel is an important part of our efforts to tell the Israeli story to a young, Western audience that does not take an interest in the [Mideast] conflict."
The initiative, which was sponsored by the Israeli Consulate in New York, was also made possible due to the efforts of Nancy Katz, the sister of acclaimed director Steven Spielberg. Katz was able to recruit big-name celebrities for the project.
"Thanks to this clip, millions of people who pass by Times Square every day won't be able to ignore the fact that Israel is celebrating its 60th anniversary," said David Saranga, the Media and Public Affairs Consul. "In addition, we are talking about a strong media story that will undoubtedly be covered by the press from all over the United States. An event like this doesn't happen every day."
According to the agreement signed with each of the celebrity participants, the clip is to be broadcast exclusively on the jumbo screens in Times Square.
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