Celebrities can often use their star power for good, such as drawing attention to a worthy cause. About a year ago, Lebanese celebrities made a statement about transportation by biking down a green carpet to a movie premiere. In Israel, Karnit Goldwasser (widow of abducted IDF soldier Ehud Goldwasser) turned her celebrity status into something green by hosting a segment on a television show about environmental issues. Now a group of 15 Israeli celebrities and public figures have joined up with Greenpeace Israel and decided to use their stardust to help save the environment. The 15 stars – which include global supermodel Bar Refaeli, actor Moshe Ivgi, musicians Mosh Ben Ari and Achinoam Nini, and former Israeli Environment Minister Yossi Sarid – all posed for a photo shoot in which they were covered (or smothered) in coal. The harsh and stark imagery is intended to convey the celebrities' protest against the construction of a new coal-burning power plant in Ashkelon, a campaign that Greenpeace Israel has been pushing for some time now. The photos will be displayed in an exhibition at a stylish downtown design studio in Tel Aviv, Kastiel, which opens next week. The opening, which is sure to be glamorous (and hopefully eco-friendly as well?) will be attended by current Israeli Environment Minister, Gilad Arden. ** Published with permission from Green Prophet BM
