JTA: The Global News Service of the Jewish People

Pop culture wars

By Uriel Heilman · February 25, 2009

From Israel's pop culture wars:

• A duo comprised of an Israeli Jew, Achinoam Nini and an Israeli Arab, Mira Awad, will represent the Jewish state in the upcoming Eurovision Song Contest. So why are Israel's leftists upset about it?

• A contestant on Israel's version of the hit reality show "Survivor" has sparked outrage among the country's Arab population for naming his shoe Muhammad to mock a former contestant, Ha'aretz reports.

And in other breaking news:

• Israeli supermodel Bar Refaeli, who graced the cover of this year's Sports Illustrated's swimsuit edition, will star in ads this summer urging Israelis to save water, Ynet reports.

• "Waltz with Bashir" director Ari Folman told the Jerusalem Post after the Oscars that he believed he was destined to lose the prize for best foreign film