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[Associated Press Report]

Whitney Houston visits Israel for inspirational visit with the Black Hebrews

By JENNIFER KNOLL
.c The Associated Press

JERUSALEM (AP) - American pop-star Whitney Houston has come to Israel for a spiritual journey she hopes will provide her with the needed inspiration for her upcoming Christmas album.

Houston, who arrived Sunday evening, is being hosted by the Black Hebrews, a group of nearly 2,000 black Americans who followed a Chicago bus driver to Israel decades ago and believe they are descendants of one of the lost tribes of Israelites.

Their religious customs include a vegan diet and polygamy, and they have a well regarded choir at their compound in the desert town of Dimona. Israel does not recognize them as Jews.

``It's a spiritual retreat at the village of peace in Dimona,'' said Patricia Houston, the singer's spokeswoman and sister-in-law. ''She wanted to be here before recording her spiritual album.''

Patricia Houston said the singer had planned to come earlier, but her trip had been postponed a number of times because of the precarious security situation.

``We pushed for this, we have been working on this visit for two years because we felt it was important that another message be sent to America that Israel is a safe place to come visit, despite the problems and the issues we have,'' said Asiel Ben-Israel, one of Houston's hosts from the Black Hebrews community.

Houston spent her first day receiving massages, relaxing, and meeting with members of the Black Hebrews, who call each other saints.

``She is loving it,'' said Patricia Houston, adding, ``She is a spiritual woman and wanted to come here and touch the land and be around the saints of Dimona.'' Whitney Houston is accompanied by a group of relatives, including her husband, singer Bobby Brown, and their daughter.

Houston who is scheduled to stay for a week, plans to visit holy sites in the country, including the Western Wall and the Mount of Olives in Jerusalem and the Sea of Galilee in northern Israel.

NEWSFILE: 26 MAY 2003