Sex & Love

Why Israelis Are Hot

By miriam libicki / June 25, 2007

“Why hadn’t I known Jews could be so sexy before?” asks a tourist visiting Israel in Miriam Libicki’s illustrated essay. American Jews like to joke about the aphrodisiac powers of the Holy Land, which can turn even the most ardent universalists into fetishists of their own people. Is it the sun? The complexion-flattering tendencies of nationalist pride? Libicki, who grew up Modern Orthodox in Ohio and moved to Israel to enlist in the IDF, has another idea. We’re suckers for the transgressive, and as Israel’s reputation on the world stage gets more controversial, coveting a man or woman in uniform just gets kinkier. You know the pick-up line: Baby, you can occupy my territory any time. To read Libicki’s essay, click on the thumbnails below, starting with the top left. (Tip: Once a page opens, you can click anywhere to close it.)

These pictures have been scaled for ease of visibility, but if you would prefer, feel free to download a PDF of the whole series.

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  • By Anonymous 8/7/07 at 4:23 p.m. UTC

    I’m so sick of this ‘Israelis are oppressing the Palestinians’ propaganda.

    Israelis are trying to defend a tiny island of democracy in an ocean of racist people who to this day have as their stated goal to “drive all the jews into the sea”

    Stopping your racist neighbors from blowing up your children isn’t oppression, its self-defense.

  • By Anonymous 7/19/07 at 6:08 p.m. UTC

    Having just returned from Israel eariler this week I’d have to say that my most recent assistment of why Israelis or for that matter Israel itself is so cool its hot is the anything goes attitude. Whether its riding your scooter like Marrio through the streets of Tel Aviv or your hair like it was meant to be… you know, in those beautiful dred Lox that American Jews are too self concious to grow out. Israelis are basically OK with themselves… everything is sababa.

  • By miriam libicki 7/17/07 at 3:41 p.m. UTC

    mmausner,

    i reduced things down very flat for this essay, indeed. the subject matter was just too big (jewish history, diaspora studies, mideast relations, media studies) to tackle all at once. i set out to talk about images & icons over nuanced reality. stereotypes may not be real, but the power they wield over us is…..

    i made this piece in part to be quarreled with. so thanks!

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