September 21, 2011, Updated September 11, 2012

Twilight star Kellan Lutz, Crossing Jordan actor Miguel Ferrer, Columbian singer Carolina La O and Cuban performer Didier Hernandez are taking part in this year’s America’s Voices in Israel mission this week.

Twilight-star Kellan Lutz

Photo by Yissachar Ruas
Kellan Lutz.

“This is my second trip to Israel,” Lutz told a press conference in Jerusalem. “The only downside of coming to Israel is that as soon as you get here, you realize how much more there is to see in such a short time, so I’ll definitely be back. I’m amazed at the scope of history here. In the US, there is 200 years of history and here we are talking about thousands of years of stories and tradition that truly fascinate and amaze me.”

The celebrities were brought over by America’s Voices in Israel, a program which brings media and entertainment personalities for personal experiences in Israel to help spread the country’s positive messages and dispel the negative image associated with conflict Israel sometimes has abroad. Irwin Katsof, director of the program, said Voices plans to bring a group every month in the coming period.

Actors in Jerusalem

Photo by Yissachar Ruas
‘Twilight’ star Kellan Lutz, ‘Crossing Jordan’ actor Miguel Ferrer, Columbian singer Carolina La O and Cuban performer Didier Hernandez.

America’s Voices participants have included Joel-David Moore, star of Avatar, Lori Loughlin and Greg Germann, long-time stars of TV’s Full House, Ally McBeal, 90210 and others.

In addition to the regular top tourist sites, the celebrities were taken to the Nalaga’at center in Jaffa to see the world’s only deaf-blind theater ensemble in action. Also on the itinerary, a midnight biking tour through the Old City of Jerusalem, a wine tasting and meeting Israeli film stars.

“It’s clear that Israel is a nation of good and warm people,” said Ferrer. “It’s remarkable how different the reality of this country is from what one hears about it. I can definitely commit myself to being an ambassador of truth for the State of Israel and offer positive messages on behalf of the people of Israel and Jerusalem.”

“Being in Israel, for me, is fulfilling a dream,” said Latino superstar Carolina La O, “We were already looking around at venues. We want to come back with our band next time.”

“This really is like paradise,” said Didier Hernendez.

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