Referred to Bar Refaeli’s past, the Israeli Defence Forces could interpret this mission as a bold manoeuvre. Seven years ago she managed to evade national service in her home country, Israel. All Israelis men and women must serve the army when they turn 18. In 2007, an Israel Defense Forces major-general clams Bar Refaeli married a friend of the family to avoid military service, then divorced him shortly thereafter.
After the model signed a $300,000 campaign deal with Fox fashion chain, the annoyed parents threatened to arrange a boycott of the chain if it didn’t write into Refaeli’s contract that she must complete her military service. Fox avoid a boycott with a compromise, in which Refaeli will simultaneously visit injured IDF soldiers hospitalized at the Sheba Media Center in Tel Hashomer whenever she arrives in Israel. In addition, she will encourage soldiers to serve in the army.
Refaeli, the 25-year-old girlfriend of movie star Leonardo DiCaprio, has been photographed for the mag's May war-themed issue.
According to Jewish news site ynet.com, Bar said she didn't regret getting into an arranged marriage to avoid national service.
'I don't regret not enlisting, because it paid off big time,' she is reported as saying.
'That's just the way it is, celebrities have other needs. I hope my case has influenced the army.'
She went on: 'Why is it good to die for our country What, isn't it better to live in New York
'Why should 18-year-old kids have to die It's dumb that people have to die so that I can live in Israel.'
In the interview with GQ, however, Bar has only positive things to say, wishing her homeland 'peace and prosperity'.
Draft-Dodging Refaeli Poses Topless in Army Helmet
Israeli model's 'GQ' cover is kinda ironic
(Newser) – Bar Refaeli allegedly dodged the draft in Israel via a sham marriage—which makes her recent cover shoot for GQ Italia rather ironic. The Israeli model poses topless, wearing an army helmet, seven years after she escaped mandatory national service in the Israeli Defense Forces. The Daily Mail has more photos. (And in other Bar Refaeli news, rumor has it she and Leonardo DiCaprio are headed toward Splitsville.)
