GAVIN RABINOWITZ of the Associated Press has a story that a pro-peace group is hoping that a potent mix of Hollywood glamour and religion will motivate Palestinians to vote in next week's presidential elections -- and their star attraction is actor Richard Gere.
Gere, together with two religious officials, recorded a public service announcement calling on the Palestinians to vote in the Jan. 9 election to replace Yasser Arafat.
"Hi, I'm Richard Gere and I'm speaking for the entire world. We're with you during this election time. It's really important: Get out and vote," Gere said, according to a transcript of the announcement obtained by The Associated Press.
Gere ended the 80-second spot produced by the pro-peace group, "One Voice," with an appeal in Arabic: "Take part in the elections." The ad is to be aired on Palestinian TV and Arabic satellite channels in the next few days, said Fathi Darwish, a Palestinian director of "One Voice." The group calls for the nonviolent creation of a Palestinian state.
A spokeswoman for Gere, who has also gained attention for his support for a Tibet free of Chinese rule, had no immediate comment. Joining Gere in the announcement are Sheik Taissir Tamimi, the head of the Islamic court in the West Bank and Gaza Strip, Atallah Hanah, the spokesman of the Greek Orthodox Church in Jerusalem.
While Gere was chosen for his star appeal, it's not clear how much celebrity status he has in the occupied territories. "I've never heard of him before," Hanah said of his co-star.
Apparently, American Gigolo wasn't a hit in Gaza.
