Due to Tinseltown’s increasingly (intolerant) leftwing views and constant threats of cancellation, such a visit is extremely rare.
By Nosson Shulman: Licensed Tour Guide of VIP Israel Tours & Authentic Virtual Tours (click here to check out his free trailer videos)
Photo Credit: Samaria Regional Council.
Hollywood has always been known for its more liberal views but has become increasingly more intolerant of views different from the “correct” narrative pushed by many in the entertainment industry. Having the “wrong” views can get one blacklisted, and not even the A-list actors are safe from this cancel culture. In this industry, being too pro-Israel is often a career liability. When singers and musicians announce that they will be performing in Israel, much pressure is put on them to cancel their appearances, often with success (as an example Stevie Wonder and Lana Delray pulled out of performing in the Jewish State). Other times, performers refuse to back down despite the backlash (although there is often pressure to at least issue a clarification that they don’t condone certain “Israeli actions)”. Visiting Judah and Samaria is even more taboo, which is why the actions of one acclaimed movie star are particularly noteworthy.
Jon Voight, 83, has unabashed Pro-Israel views and is unafraid to share them, regardless of any potential consequences. In late February of this year, the Oscar winner was in Israel for a 10-day trip to gather material for a biblical film series, geared towards Evangelicals. He spent time in Judah and Samaria, visiting historic and Jewish religious sites in Hebron (the 2nd holiest site in Judaism), Har Bracha (where he was presented with a bottle of wine produced in a local vineyard), and Shiloh (the home of the Tabernacle for 369 years). At many of these sites, he was visibly emotional.
In the media, Judah and Samaria (where between 80-90% of towns and cities mentioned in the Bible are located) are often referred to in the media and UN forums as the “West Bank” (a term invented by Jordan after they annexed the land from 1948-67. “West” meant the (then Jordanian-controlled) territory west of the Jordan River to distinguish this land from the Kingdom of Jordan, which was on the eastern bank of the river). Says the 4-time Golden Globe award winner, “I don’t understand why Judea and Samaria is called the West Bank, when it’s clear that if you look at a map, Samaria is at the heart of the land of Israel.”
When Jon Voight’s new series premieres, the first episode will be dedicated to the journeys of Abraham in the Holy Land.
Nosson Shulman is a journalist and Licensed Tour Guide in Israel specializing in Biblical tours. To allow tourists to experience Israel during the Corona era, he created the new hit Israel tour video series which brings Israel to the home of viewers by simulating actual tours. To check out his free sneak preview tour videos, click here. To view sample tour itineraries or to inquire about private tour opportunities with a personalized itinerary on your next trip to Israel, click here.
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