The organizers of the 2016 Academy Awards are giving a luxurious $200,000 gift bag to top nominees – including a first class trip to Israel.
The 10-day first class visit to the Jewish state, valued at $55,000, is the most expensive gift in the Oscar “goody bag.”
Among the other gift items are a lifetime supply of skin creams from Lizora, valued at $31,200; ultherapy, a laser skin-tightening procedure courtesy of 740 Park MD, at $5,530; a year’s worth of unlimited Audi car rentals from Silvercar, at $45,000; and a 15-day walking tour of Japan, valued at $45,000.
Only the nominees for the top acting and directing categories will receive the pricey gift bags.
“Everyone wins,” said Distinctive Assets, the company that assembled the bags. The items in the gift bag are “a blend of fabulous, fun and functional items meant to thrill and pamper those who may have everything money can buy but still savor the simple joy of a gift,” a press release by the company said.
Israel’s supporters see it as a slap in the face to the BDS movement. Aaron Klein, Breitbart’s Jerusalem bureau chief, writes, “Despite attempts by the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) movement to target Israel, especially in the entertainment world, the Academy Awards seems to be taking a stand in solidarity with the Jewish state.”
The 88th Academy Awards ceremony takes place on February 28, and will be hosted by actor Chris Rock.