Liberman wants Al Pacino in Arad

Israel is planning to build an elaborate, Hollywood-style film production facility on the outskirts of the southern city of Arad, and Avigdor Liberman is one of the central figures promoting the idea.

The former foreign minister was accompanied by top movie producer Arnon Miltchen, Tourism Minister Uzi Landau, and other leading Jewish figures from Israel and abroad, during a tour Wednesday of the tranquil desert site.

In an interview with Channel 2, Liberman stressed that “movie city” would first and foremost serve as an economic booster for the area’s residents.

“First of all, I sincerely hope to build here an employment center for young people,” Liberman said. “There are many people here examining the dream in order to assure it is realized.”

The former foreign minister expressed hope that the project would begin in the near future and said he had high hopes for the site.

“Things now are looking very optimistic,” he said.

Liberman said he believes that the production site would attract leading actors and producers, and went on to name a few of his favorite stars.

“We would all be happy to someday see Al Pacino and Robert De Niro here in Arad, together with Julia Roberts and Sean Connery,” he cheerfully said.