JAY LENO: “ISRAEL IS A LITTLE PARADISE IN THE MIDDLE EAST”
JNS.org – Yedioth Ahronoth has interviewed Jay Leno, who after retiring from the Tonight Show is taking a trip to Israel.
Leno hosts the Genesis Prize ceremony on Thursday at the Jerusalem Theater in the presence of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, where the prize will be awarded for the first time to former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg.
“I love Israel, that’s why I’m here,” he told reporters after landing at Ben-Gurion Airport. Israel is “a little paradise in the Middle East,” he added in a later sit-down interview with Yedioth Ahronoth.
Leno also spoke about his plans and activities after leaving the Tonight Show. See the article and video clip from the interview here and here.
American television host Jay Leno arrived in Israel on Tuesday evening ahead of the Genesis Prize ceremony, which he will host on Thursday, and met with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
During the event, which will be held at the Jerusalem Theater in the presence of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, the prize will be awarded for the first time to former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg.
“I’m excited. It’s a real honor,” Leno told Ynet after landing at Ben-Gurion Airport, adding that the weather was great. “I love Israel, that’s why I’m here.”
| Video: Eli Mandelbaum |
Jay Leno. First visit to Israel
Asked what he plans to do in the Holy Land, Leno said: “I’ll be visiting, but I’ve got to host this award show, so I’m busy writing jokes.”
Leno also met with Prime Minister Netnayahu, who is set to award Bloomberg the prize.
Photo: Kobi Gideon, GPO
About three months ago, Leno quit NBC’s “The Tonight Show” after serving as its host for 22 years. When we asked him about his plans for the future, he replied: “I’ll figure it out.”
“It is a great honor to be invited to host this prestigious event,” Leno said in the statement released by the Genesis Prize Foundation. “I am very excited. This will be my first visit to Israel and I can’t wait to be a part of the Genesis Prize ceremony.”
Prime Minister Netanyahu will present Bloomberg with the $1 million prize, which is endowed by Genesis Philanthropy Group and will be awarded annually in partnership with the Prime Minister’s Office and the Jewish Agency for Israel.
The evening will include remarks from Bloomberg and Jewish Agency Chairman Natan Sharansky, highlight a piano performance by Evgeny Kissin and feature Israeli singer Rita, the Tararam dance group, actress and comedian Hanah Laszlo and the Raanana Symphonette Orchestra.
Comments are closed.
