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June 21, 2019 11:54 am
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Actor Martin Short Calls Israel ‘Unbelievably Beautiful’ During First Visit to Country

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avatar by Shiryn Ghermezian

Martin Short speaking ahead of the Genesis Prize Foundation’s award ceremony in Jerusalem, June 20, 2019. Photo: Screenshot.

Comedic actor Martin Short praised Israel for its beauty at a gala in Jerusalem on Thursday during his first-ever visit to the Jewish state.

Short, 69, was the emcee at the event where Robert Kraft, owner of the NFL’s New England Patriots, was awarded the Genesis Prize, which honors “individuals for their accomplishments and commitment to Jewish values, inspiring Jews to connect to their heritage and to Israel,” according to the Genesis Prize Foundation.

Before the start of the award ceremony, Short talked about his time in Israel so far, saying, “[It’s] unbelievably beautiful. Really, just everything. You can’t even imagine it unless you’re here. I’ve only spent time in Jerusalem, not Tel Aviv or any other city, but just absolutely spectacular. I mean, you spent your whole life hearing the word Jerusalem and now you’re here.”

The Canadian-American actor also talked about antisemitism, which Kraft announced in his acceptance speech that he would combat with the establishment of a foundation dedicated to tackling Jew-hatred and efforts to delegitimize Israel.

Short said antisemitism should not be joked about. He added, “I think that tragically antisemitism is not on the decline, especially in Europe it’s on the rise and so this must be continuously fought. You know, I’m friends with Steven Spielberg and I went to an early screening of ‘Schindler’s List’ and I said: ‘Steven, why do you feel it’s necessary to make this film right now?’ And he said: ‘Because antisemitism is on the rise in Europe like it never was before.'”

Watch the interview with Short below:

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