British magazine names Israeli model Bar Refaeli ‘Body of 2008′

Israeli supermodel Bar Refaeli, who grabbed international attention last year for her relationship with Hollywood A-lister Lenoardo DiCaprio, has been named “Body of 2008″ by British men’s magazine Arena.

Refaeli, 22, caused controversy last year for telling Israeli newspaper Yedioth Ahronoth, “Why is it good to die for our country? Isn’t it better to live in New York?”

The model decided to sue the newspaper for libel, after it published the interview in which she made the remarks under the headline “Bar Refaeli versus the State of Israel.”

In June 2006, Refaeli and DiCaprio visited her parents at their home in Israel, sparking a media frenzy that resulted in the arrest of two of the Hollywood A-lister’s bodyguards, after they scuffled with paparazzi in Jerusalem.

Several months later, another of Refaeli’s companions, world surfing champion Kelly Slater, was detained by police in Herzliya after he scuffled with paparazzi trying to snap the two as they left a hotel in the beach resort town.

Refaeli, one of Israel’s most famous exports, has appeared in top magazines Sports Illustrated, Tatler, Maxim and Paris-Match.