Israeli model defends invitation photo

NEW YORK, June 20 (UPI) -- An Israeli model says the use of her sexy photo on a party invitation was meant to bolster -- not tarnish -- her homeland's image.

The Israeli Consulate sparked controversy among female politicians in Israel when it sent out an official invitation featuring a steamy photo of former Miss Israel, Gal Gadot.

The invitation was for a New York event sponsored by Maxim to promote its upcoming "Women of the Israeli Defense Forces" issue.

Former Consul-General Colette Avital condemned the picture as "pornographic," a claim Gadot vehemently denied.

"Obviously, I don't think it's pornographic, or I wouldn't have done it," Gadot told The New York Post. "Everyone is entitled to their own opinion. Israel is a democracy and that's what it's all about."

Israeli Consul-General Arye Mekel defended the photos.

"This is the first time we used the word 'shoot' in connection to Israel and we're not talking about killing people," Mekel joked.

However, Mekel admitted Avital had vented her concerns to him.

"She expressed her point of view to me," Mekel said. "I responded. It's a legitimate disagreement."