Israeli Stuntman Topples David Blaine’s Pole-Standing Record

By Michael Kaminer May 25, 2011

While Benjamin Netanyahu was delivering a fiery speech to Congress, another Israeli challenged the U.S. by just standing there — and succeeded spectacularly.

Stuntman Hezi Dean balanced atop a pole in Tel Aviv’s Rabin Square for 35 consecutive hours, toppling magician David Blaine’s record.

“It was very hard. I want to tell you only one important sentence: Nothing stands in front of the will,” Dean said in Hebrew following the stunt.

It’s not the first time Dean has tried to outdo Blaine. Last year, the Israeli tough guy endured 66 hours in an ice cube, beating the half-Jewish Blaine’s 63-hour milestone set in 2000.

For the pole trick, Dean “had no food, but he did have a catheter and the strength of will to stand for 35 hours,” reported PerezHilton.com. “You’ve just been OWNED, David Blaine!”, crowed Hilton, apparently a fan of bald, sturdy Israelis himself.

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