Israel Matzav: Born-again supermodel loves Israel

Born-again supermodel loves Israel

A lot of you guys in your 40's and 50's probably remember Kathy Ireland, who appeared on the cover of Sports Illustrated a few times. Kathy has become a born-again Christian and is a very strong supporter of Israel. She was here recently to make a documentary about the Sheba - Tel HaShomer Medical Center, which has the top rehabilitation unit in the country.

She’s 178 cm. with red hair and blue eyes, a former supermodel with a figure to die for and the owner, founder and CEO of a $1.4 billion lifestyle business: Kathy Ireland might just be Israel’s perfect public diplomacy ambassador.

“I love Israel, it’s very close to my heart,” says the 46-year-old born-again Christian. “Because of my faith it’s very special to me.”

Ireland was here recently to film a promotional documentary for Sheba Medical Center. Titled Holy Land Heroes, the documentary aims to expose the work being done at Sheba with wounded soldiers and victims of terror attacks.

“Holy Land Heroes is bringing awareness of these heroes of Israel to the rest of the world,” says Ireland. “I’ve had some incredible life-changing experiences spending time at the hospital meeting with patients, doctors, researchers, nurses and volunteers who are dedicated and committed to rehabilitating these heroes.”

Ireland is a passionate advocate for Israel, with an unwavering belief in the righteousness of its actions. Her faith is such that even the most adept spin doctor would be hard pressed to come up with so much positive PR.

“I think so often Israel is not fairly portrayed in the media,” she says. “Meeting with the military, the air force, [I saw] the efforts that go into the strategy of not hurting civilians and the heroic efforts of these soldiers who put themselves in harm’s way to rescue the wounded, even when the wounded might be their enemy.

“In America, we’ve been so spoiled not to have really known, our generation, what it is to be at war. But that’s changed, and really regardless of someone’s faith, it’s very apparent that if Israel is not safe, then the rest of the world is not safe.”

Read the whole thing.

I wonder whether she'd consider going into politics. She certainly sounds a lot more likable than that other 'supermodel' who's been in the news here recently.

Israel Matzav: Born-again supermodel loves Israel