Israeli Models to Beef Up in 2013 as Law Regulating Size Goes Into Effect

January 1, 2013 7:48 pm 2 comments

Bar Refaeli at Cannes. Source: Wikimeida Commons.

The new year means new rules for Israel’s fashion models. A new law went into effect Tuesday that prohibits any male or female model with a body mass index (BMI) below 18.5 from being shown in the media, on Israeli websites or from walking down the catwalk at fashion shows.

The law, initiated by then-Kadima MK Rachel Adatto, aims to protect impressionable teens from eating disorders.

The law was also sponsored by Likud-Beytenu MK Danny Danon and is believed to be the first of its kind in the world. Violations are not considered a criminal offense, but violators can be sued in court by interested citizens, including families whose relatives have suffered or died due to eating disorders encouraged by images of overly thin models.

The law also requires any advertisement that uses Photoshop or other graphics programs that make the model appear to be under  18.5 BMI to be labeled with a warning that the image was distorted. The warning must be clear and prominent, covering at least 7 percent of the ad space.

Any model to be used in campaigns and fashion shows must first obtain and  present written statements from their physician within a three-month time frame stating that their BMI  is above 18.5.  If not, they do not qualify.

The law has been met with some controversy. Model and TV personality Yael Goldman told Israel’s Channel 2 that the law had no “beneficial effect.” She said, “You can not change the world, models have always been thin and are thin, and there it is,” and added, “the focus must be on educating” the models about the issues.

According to the Jerusalem Post, nearly 1,500 teenagers develop an eating disorder each year in Israel, and 5% of those suffering from anorexia die.

2 Comments

  • MILINDA RATNASURIYA

    VERY GOOD MOVE FOLKS !!!

  • Kol Ha Kavod:
    ONE MORE TIME ISRAEL LEADS IN CARING FOR ITS CITIZENS AND TAKES A STAND TO PROTECT ITS VULNERABLE YOUTH.!!!

    NOTE:
    By the way….models only began the “Twiggy” too skinny look in the late 60′s.

    Befor this time the ideal model size was 10 for both runway models & photo shoots.Heights:(where I worked) 5’5- 5’7″ Most of us wore 3″ heals.

    Measurments for the true size 10 -depending on the garment and manufacturer/ design house.
    bust: 34-35-36″
    waist: 23-24-25″
    hips:35-36-37″
    A much healthier model type.

Leave a Reply

Please note: comments may be published in the Algemeiner print edition.


More...

  • Arts and Culture Beliefs and concepts Jewish Presence in Contemporary Art

    Jewish Presence in Contemporary Art

    The Jewish presence and identity in the contemporary world of art is one truly worth noting. At the 3rd annual conference of “Jewish Arts & Identity in the contemporary world” in Baruch College’s Jewish Studies Center, at a panel entitled “Jewish Ways of Seeing: The Visual Arts and the Jewish Tradition”, the Jewish impact on the creative world is exemplified through the discussion of artist Audrey Flack and her various works. Flack was born in 1931 to a fairly Orthodox [...]

    Read more →
  • Blogs Features Black Jazz Musician Encounters Mixed Reactions to Subway Renditions of Hatikvah, Hava Hagila

    Black Jazz Musician Encounters Mixed Reactions to Subway Renditions of Hatikvah, Hava Hagila

    At first you may be skeptical of Isaiah Richardson Jr. He doesn’t look like somebody who would be playing Hava Nagila for passengers waiting for their train in the subway. Firstly, he seems too young,  and secondly, he’s a black kid from the Bronx, dressed sharply, derby hat and all. But when upon meeting Isaiah, the 32-year-old ticked off “Hevenu Shalom Aleichem,” “Bashana Haba’ah,” and “Zum Gali Gali” as some of his favorite songs to play passing crowds, I knew [...]

    Read more →
  • Blogs Music Mother’s Day Performer Blends Israeli Independence and the Jewish Side of Verdi

    Mother’s Day Performer Blends Israeli Independence and the Jewish Side of Verdi

    This Mother’s Day, the music of opera singer Sharon Azrieli Perez will integrate the varied threads that have made up the fabric of her life. Perez, in a Mother’s Day concert May 12 at the 92nd Street Y in New York City, will weave a musical experience that brings together intimations of Israeli independence, Giuseppe Verdi’s use of Jewish melodies, medieval Ladino music, and modern Jewish show music. These musical elements are particularly personal for Perez, whose Juilliard education has [...]

    Read more →
  • Blogs Jewish 100 Social Harvey Weinstein to Elie Wiesel: Without You There Would be no ‘Schindler’s List’ (VIDEO)

    Harvey Weinstein to Elie Wiesel: Without You There Would be no ‘Schindler’s List’ (VIDEO)

    Famed film producer Harvey Weinstein presented Nobel Laureate Elie Wiesel with the Algemeiner newspaper’s ‘Warrior for Truth’ award at its recent star studded 40th anniversary ‘JEWISH 100’ Gala. “My mother, the Miriam of Miramax […] was so thrilled when she heard that I was presenting to Professor Wiesel,” Weinstein said as he called on the professor to accept the award. “I am happy to be here on the Algemeiner’s 40th anniversary and to celebrate their top 100,” Weinstein added. Commenting [...]

    Read more →
  • Israel Sports Israeli Soccer Star Victim of Anti-Semitic Abuse on Twitter

    Israeli Soccer Star Victim of Anti-Semitic Abuse on Twitter

    Israeli soccer star Yossi Benayoun, who currently plays for FC Chelsea in the English Premier League, was recently the victim of anti-Semitic abuse on Twitter. After thanking his Twitter followers for sending him birthday wishes, Benayoun, who many consider to be the greatest Israeli soccer player ever, was sent the following message: “f***in Jew a**hole.” Benayoun posted a response, saying, “Some nice people in the world.” His team has called on the police to investigate the matter, according to the Britain’s [...]

    Read more →
  • Arts and Culture Blogs Gary Baseman and The Jewish Home “The Door Is Always Open”

    Gary Baseman and The Jewish Home “The Door Is Always Open”

    This weekend, a retrospective of the works of Gary Baseman titled The Door Is Always Open, opened, at the Skirball Cultural Center. ‘Door’ recreates the artists’ childhood home filled with famous Baseman characters and Jewish subjects peppered about. Baseman has had a long and successful career with iconic characters and big clients to fill his CV, but recent works are the first time he is dealing directly with his Jewish identity and the value that it holds for him now. [...]

    Read more →
  • Blogs Jewish 100 Social Algemeiner ‘JEWISH 100′ Gala: Album 2 – Program, Speakers and Awards (PHOTOS)

    Algemeiner ‘JEWISH 100′ Gala: Album 2 – Program, Speakers and Awards (PHOTOS)

    Read more →
  • Israel Sports Israel’s National Hockey Team Wins World Championship in Turkey Tournament

    Israel’s National Hockey Team Wins World Championship in Turkey Tournament

    Israel’s national ice hockey team struck gold at the 2013 IIHF Ice Hockey World Championship Division II Group B, which was a surprise considering that they entered the tournament in Izmit, Turkey as an unknown entity and the second-lowest ranked team. The squad will move up to the top tier Group A following wins over China (6-3), Turkey (5-3), New Zealand (3-2) and Bulgaria (13-2). “Overall we played really well and disciplined, and the first four games were extremely pleasant [...]

    Read more →
Sign up now to receive our regular news briefs.