Why Hollywood Has Abandoned Brand Israel

As Israel moves ever more dangerously rightward - evidenced by the latest law legalising the state's expropriation of private Palestinian lands and the extremely conservative appointees to the High Court - Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu seems, perhaps paradoxically, more obsessed than in the past with promoting Israel's positive image in the international arena.

Indeed, the current government has poured millions of dollars into its Brand Israel campaign. Just this past December, Haaretz reported that the tourism ministry "was granted its biggest marketing budget ever in the past year as it tried to change Israel's image as a travel destination and expand the range of tourism offerings."