Sharon Stone Offers Kisses for Peace in Israel
Published
Sexy actress wants to do her part
By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
(Mar. 8) -- Sharon Stone is ready to do her part for Mideast peace: The "Basic Instinct" actress said Wednesday she "would kiss just about anybody" to end the Israel-Arab conflict.
She arrived in Israel on Tuesday for a five-day trip sponsored by the Peres Center for Peace, founded by Nobel Peace laureate Shimon Peres in 1996 to improve relations with Arabs. It's her first visit to the Holy Land.
Stone, joined by Peres at a news conference, said she couldn't solve the ongoing conflict between Israel and the Palestinians, but could use her fame to help encourage peace efforts.
"I would kiss just about anybody for peace in the Middle East," she said, drawing laughter from a throng of Israeli reporters. Stone playfully turned down calls to give Peres a peck on the cheek.
Noting it was International Women's Day, Stone suggested that more women become involved in the male-dominated world of Mideast peace talks. Women consider thoughts and feelings more than men, she said.
"I think (men and women) need to be a team. We were meant to be a team," she said.
During her visit, Stone planned to play soccer with a mixed group of Israeli and Palestinian children, visit Israeli hospitals that care for Palestinian children and celebrate her 48th birthday Friday with a gala to raise funds for children's educational and health projects.
Stone was nominated for an Oscar for her role in 1995's "Casino."
Her upcoming film, "Basic Instinct 2," is due for release March 31.