‘Aladdin’ Star Says He Visited Israel, Wants to Go Back and See Jerusalem

Egyptian-born actor Mena Massoud, who plays the titular character in the new “Aladdin” remake, revealed in an interview on Sunday that he would love to return to Israel someday and go to Jerusalem.

“I visited Israel when I was in Jordan, I crossed the border just for a few hours,” Massoud, 27, told Ynet. “It was lovely. We only spend a couple of hours there I definitely want to go back and visit Jerusalem. and walk the path of Christ and kind of do all the big stuff.”

Massoud — who was attacked on social media over the weekend for promoting an Israeli vegan restaurant — was born in Cairo, but was raised in Canada. He said on Twitter that he “grew up in Toronto going to Isreali (sic) restaurants that served Middle Eastern food.”

“Aladdin” is currently in theaters.