FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE May 20, 2006 Contact for more information ruthmekel@imot.org	Click HERE for TravelTalkRADIO's coverage of Israel in May 2006
	Israel's Tourism Minister Isaac Herzog welcomed famed actor William Shatner to Jerusalem Monday at the city's King David Hotel. Shatner is in the country to promote the Jewish National Fund's Therapeutic Riding Consortium Endowment. Almost 30 therapeutic riding centers across Israel benefit adults and children with disabilities and has been a recognized treatment since the 1950s.

'Shatner told minister Herzog that he believes that his project for which he plans to raise $10 million that will benefit the therapeutic riding centers in the country, will also contribute to the peace effort in the Middle East.

''Elizabeth (Shatner’s wife) and I came to Israel to help injured children, for whom horses and horse riding are very helpful in the process of recuperation, both physical and mental.” Captain Kirk told the Minister.

“As you can see we are not a strange galaxy, just a beautiful country. We have all followed the adventures of Enterprise and I am proud that you and Elizabeth are with us. There is no more enchanting landscape than that of Jerusalem which you can see now in its full glory.” Replied Minister Herzog.

Shatner, who played Captain James T. Kirk on the original TV series “Star Trek”, currently stars in the popular series “Boston Legal”  and “The Practice”.

In the picture: William Shatner and his wife Elizabeth chat with Isaac Herzog, Israel’s Minister of Tourism

Photo by Sasson Tiram 

For additional information please contact Ruth Mekel, 212-499-5647 or 917-573-1741
E-mail: ruthmekel@imot.org