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IDF: Bar Refaeli May Be a Model, But She's No Model Citizen

It is no mere chance that the Israeli Foreign Ministry is happy to use the services of the Israeli top model Bar Refaeli, while the military establishment calls for boycotting her due to her evasion of military service, writes Michal Aharoni.           
Model Bar Rafaeli arrives at the amfAR's Milan Fashion Week Gala in Milan September 23, 2011. 
REUTERS/Paolo Bona  (ITALY - Tags: ENTERTAINMENT FASHION) - RTR2RQUW
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She is one of the world's most successful models. She starred in a sexy Super Bowl ad and received millions of views on YouTube, Facebook and other social networks. She was even Leonardo DiCaprio's girlfriend. Israeli top model Bar Refaeli is the coolest girl in the world, but in Israel, she is generally considered to be a most annoying person.

And it is not because she forgot where she has come from — not at all: In fact, only recently she participated in a fundraising evening for the Variety Children's Charity and in a Passover fundraiser, and she regularly takes part in many other charitable events. Her appearances in the international media draw enthusiastic response. Her English is excellent. She is lovely, funny and full of grace. And she is always emphasizing that she is an Israeli. Thus, for instance, in a TV reality show she hosted in Germany, she insisted on shooting a fashion production in Israel, so as to reveal the “beautiful face” of the country to the world. But one thing Bar Refaeli has never done — military service in the Israel Defense Forces (IDF).

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