Whitney on 'spiritual visit'

2003-05-28 13:35

Jerusalem - US pop diva Whitney Houston met with Israeli Prime Minster Ariel Sharon at his Jerusalem residence on Tuesday evening while on a six-day visit to Israel at the invitation of a desert-dwelling black Hebrew sect.

Dressed in a distinctive vibrant red African costume, Houston, 40, told Sharon she was in Israel to "visit friends and family" among the polygamous black Hebrews, who have been living in Israel since 1969.

But, standing outside Sharon's residence, Houston did not shake hands with Israel's burly premier, leaving it to her husband the former singer Bobby Brown.

She was also due to meet with Israel's hawkish Tourism Minister Benny Elon.

Houston and Brown arrived in Israel with their daughter on Sunday and went directly to the desert town of Dimona, which is home to the 2 000-strong sect and renowned for being the site of an Israeli nuclear plant.

"We arrived in Israel for a spiritual visit, to meet with our brothers and sisters in Dimona. We are very excited and looking forward to our visit," the couple said.

Houston was also said to be planning a recording about Israel with several members of the community, which is known for its choirs and singing groups, they added.

On Monday, she visited the southern coastal town of Eilat, and is due to tour Jerusalem on Wednesday, taking in both Jewish and Christian holy sites in the Old City. Later in the week, she is to visit the Galilee and Jordan river areas, Israeli daily Haaretz reported.

Known as the Original African Hebrew Israelite Nation of Jerusalem, the black Hebrews believe they are descended from one of the lost ten tribes of Israel as mentioned in the Bible.

Strict dietary laws forbid the consumption of meat and polygamy is permitted.

The group first came to Israel in 1969, and since then, members have earned a living through their celebrated professional gospel choir and rhythm and blues singing troupes.

- AFX