Will Leonardo Help Israel?

Leonardo DiCaprio is well known as an activist. He has made his interest known several times in interviews and quotes to the media. He's been actively involved in raising awareness of environmental issues. He has been involved with organizations such as Natural Resources Defense Council, Global Green, USA, and the International Fund for Animal Welfare, and National Geographic Kids.

On DiCaprio's most recent visit to Israel he was asked to help promote environmental conservation and peace. Within hours of his arrival in Tel Aviv he was prompted to meet with Israeli Vice Premier and former Prime Minister Shimon Peres.

"The meeting was pleasant and interesting," says an aide of Peres. "Shimon told Leo about his Peace Valley project, a joint Israeli-Jordanian-Palestinian economic development plan, and Leo spoke about his documentary (11^th Hour) on the environment."

DiCaprio was asked to help with several things, one being the Middle East Peace process which hasn't made much progress lately and the other, to campaign for protecting the environment globally. Peres' aide says DiCaprio promised to help with both issues.

DiCaprio's representatives confirmed that the meeting took place, but would not comment further on anything that was said.

Israeli police are still deciding whether to charge two of DiCaprio's bodyguards in a fight with photographers that occurred during Leonardo's second day in the country.

Several photographers are said to have been hurt on March 12^th. These incidents took place as DiCaprio and Refaeli's family toured a tunnel near Jerusalem's Western Wall. In a statement from Shawn Sachs, DiCaprio's rep, he says, "Leo is horrified that anyone might have gotten hurt in this situation, but the paparazzi really made this happen."

Leonardo stayed with Refaeli's family in Tel Aviv. Refaeli's bother, "On", told Israeli TV that he had made friends with DiCaprio.

DiCaprio headed home from the airport on Thursday. Witnesses say it looked like a very emotional goodbye. "They were hugging and kissing until the last minute when he had to go on the plane." It looked liked it was really hard for them to stay apart."

Leonardo DiCaprio started a charity named the "Leonardo DiCaprio Foundation." Their job is to raise awareness of issues such as global warming, access to fresh water and biodiversity, to name a few. They give advice on several different things that everyone can do to help make these situations better. You can also find out information about his new documentary, 11^th Hour, coming to theaters in 2007.

Sources:
Leonardo DiCaprio Eco-Site (http://www.leonardodicaprio.com/)
People (http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,20015358,00.html)