All the models are said to have served in the Israeli Defence Force

The pictures are part of a public relations drive to improve the image of the country within the US.

Maxim said it was "pleased" with the result of its collaboration with the Israeli consulate in New York, which came up with the idea.

But some in Israel have said that the images were not appropriate.

"We definitely have public relations problems, and I'm all for creative solutions," Israeli lawmaker Colette Avital said.

"But there are enough beautiful and interesting things we can use to tap into this demographic than to show a half-naked woman in a magazine of this kind, considered pornographic."

According to AP, the photo spread will include pictures of Israeli model Nivit Bash - who served in Israeli military intelligence - and former Miss Israel, Gal Gadot.

The Israeli consulate defended its decision, taken after research indicated that Israel meant very little to young US men.

"Males that age have no feeling toward Israel one way or another, and we view that as a problem, so we came up with an idea that would be appealing to them," said David Dorfman, a media adviser at the consulate.

The photo feature, entitled "Women of the Israeli Defense Forces", will be published in the July issue of the magazine.