Oscar nominees can bag a five-star holiday to Israel

Top Academy Award nominees will have a politically charged gift in their swag bag this year — a luxury trip to Israel paid for in part by a government that hopes such celebrity junkets will offset news coverage of the country’s troubles.

Israel’s tourism ministry said the trips, valued at up to $55,000, including first-class airfare which would be funded by another party whom it did not identify, are on offer to actors and directors vying for Oscars in the February 28 ceremony.

Israel has long sought ways to overcome any misgivings foreign visitors might have about the security situation, given the simmering conflict with Palestine.