Israel’s PM flies to the West coast with an objective: Advancing Israel’s high-tech industry.

After dinning with Hollywood stars, he sent them a clear message: Make movies about Israel.

By Ynetnews

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had an eventful trip to the West Coast. Netanyahu, his wife Sara and son Yair attended a star-studded event at the home of Israeli businessman Arnon Milchan.

The Netanyahu family poses with Kate Hudson – Photo: Avi Ohayon, GPO

The mega-producer has managed to get a distinguished list of actors, directors, scriptwriters and all the managers of the most important Hollywood studios to participate in a Q&A session with the Israeli prime minister.

The stars who have confirmed their attendance include Leonardo DiCaprio, Clint Eastwood, Robert De Niro, Anthony Hopkins, Barbra Streisand, Ben Affleck, Billy Crystal, Warren Beatty, Annette Bening, Jeremy Renner, James Caan, Kate Hudson and Academy Award-winning director James Cameron.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and wife Sara meet Leonardo DiCaprio – Photo: Avi Ohayon, GPO

But rubbing shoulders with Hollywood’s finest wasn’t the only topic on the prime minister’s agenda. Netanyahu also held a series of meetings with technology companies with one main objective in mind: advancing Israel’s high-tech industry.

On Wednesday, Netanyahu visited Apple Inc. and WhatsApp, the free messaging service recently bought by Facebook, discussing cyber security with executives at both companies.

Netanyahu also traveled to Silicon Valley on Wednesday to sign an agreement with Gov. Jerry Brown to develop joint technology projects and conduct research in California and Israel.

During a meeting at the Computer History Museum in Mountain View, Netanyahu and California Gov. Jerry Brown emphasized their joint interests in cybersecurity, energy sources and water conservation, and suggested Israel – an arid country with a growing population – might be able to help California cope with its ongoing drought.

Israel is a high-tech powerhouse and many tech giants – including Apple, Google and Microsoft – have made investments there, buying companies or conducting research and development.

Itamar Eichner and the Associated Press contributed to this report.

View original Ynet publication at: http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4496074,00.html