Dancing Gangnam Style opposite the Western Wall in Jerusalem's Old City (screen capture/YouTube)
In a new homegrown YouTube video, Korean pop star Psy’s super-hit “Gangnam Style” gets an Israeli makeover, as performers from New Spirit and The Hebrew University Student Union bring a unique Jerusalem twist to the song and dance routine that has enthralled millions across the world.
The Jerusalem version of the video, which was loaded onto YouTube on Wednesday, had been viewed nearly 40,000 times by Saturday night — impressive, but still with a way to go to match the original, which — with 510 million views — is one of the 10 most watched YouTube videos of all time.
The local video, titled “Jerusalem Syndrome Gangnam Style,” was produced by the two groups to mark the beginning of the new academic year in Israel, which starts Sunday.
Jerusalemites dance to the beat of Gangnam Style in the city’s central Zion Square (screen capture/YouTube)
The clip follows young dancer Josef Condiotti as he visits famous sites around the city and sweeps passerbys into festive dance along with him. It was shot in several key locations in the city, including opposite the Western Wall, outside the Old City, in the Mahaneh Yehuda open market, aboard a light rail train carriage, in the city’s central Zion Square and on the Hebrew University campus.
Josef Condiotti and Chen Perez dance outside the Old City walls (screen capture/YouTube)
Viewers who watch the entire video get to see a cameo appearance by Jerusalem Mayor Nir Barkat at the end.
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Jerusalem Mayor Nir Barkat makes a surprise appearance at the end of the clip (screen capture/YouTube)
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