'We're Not Here Only to Fuck Hamas': How Israeli Militarism Took Over Online Dating

"A group of girls came up to us and just told us directly that they wanted to sleep with us because we were soldiers." Credit: Illustration: Aron Ehrlich

Why are Israeli soldiers uploading photos of themselves inside Gazan homes or with Palestinian detainees to their dating profiles? Beyond the 'uniform effect' which turned U.S. firefighters into heroes after September 11, some experts say the violent militarism seen on dating apps is leading to disturbing trends in Israeli society – online and off

Melanie Stern

and

Liron Amir

March 24, 2024

The October 7 Hamas attack and the ongoing Gaza war changed most aspects of living in Israel, and online dating has been no exception. Swiping singles on dating apps are being inundated with profiles of men in olive green brandishing loaded guns, often standing in front of mushroom clouds from Israeli strikes or the rubble of destroyed buildings.

Click the alert icon to follow topics:

Comments

Your Perspective Belongs Here

Want to reply? Subscribe to join the conversation

Already signed up? Log in

In the News

In the News:

Israel at War Live UpdatesDeceased Hostages Palestinians ReleasedHostage SquareIsraeli HostagesIsraelis Dead

Israel's Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara speaks at the state memorial service for fallen soldiers, Thursday.

ICYMI

'We're Not Here Only to Fuck Hamas': How Israeli Militarism Took Over Online Dating

Click the alert icon to follow topics:

Comments

In the News

In the News:

Israel's AG Opposes Bill That Would Allow Political Interference in Netanyahu's Trial

Likud Lawmaker Floats New Haredi Draft Bill That Includes ultra-Orthodox Parties' Demands

Israel's Policy of Separation Perpetuates Hamas

Knesset Committee Assisting Nova Survivors Left Without Chair for Three Months

Released Hostage Omri Miran Discharged From Hospital Days After Returning From Gaza

Remembering and rebuilding two years later

ICYMI

'I Saw the Bodies of Children': Moral Injury and Mental Strain Breaking IDF Soldiers

I Escaped to a Greek Nudist Paradise, Only to Discover That Israelis Are Hated There, Too

Israeli Fathers Return From Gaza, but Can't Find Their Way Back to Their Children

'If 1948 Was a War of Independence, the Current War Could Be the One That Ends Israel'

Israel Has Seen Extremists in High Office. But Nothing Like Netanyahu's Shin Bet Pick

Turkey Could Be Next in Israel's Cross-hairs After Qatar. The Consequences? Catastrophic

ICYMI

'I Saw the Bodies of Children': Moral Injury and Mental Strain Breaking IDF Soldiers

I Escaped to a Greek Nudist Paradise, Only to Discover That Israelis Are Hated There, Too

Israeli Fathers Return From Gaza, but Can't Find Their Way Back to Their Children

'If 1948 Was a War of Independence, the Current War Could Be the One That Ends Israel'

Israel Has Seen Extremists in High Office. But Nothing Like Netanyahu's Shin Bet Pick

Turkey Could Be Next in Israel's Cross-hairs After Qatar. The Consequences? Catastrophic

This Forgotten Jewish Orphanage in the American South Raised 'Fortunate Unfortunates'

Why I, an Arab Writer, Hesitate to Compare Gaza to the Holocaust

'Soon No Liberal Will Be Able to Live in Israel. The IDF Has Already Fallen to Messianism'

U.S. Firm, Eastern European Drivers, Israeli Link: Who's Behind Getting Aid Into Gaza

Thousands of Israelis Marched to Gaza – Not to Free It, but to Renew Jewish Settlement

The Nightmare Scenario for the Day After the AG's Dismissal Is Already Here

After the Missiles: Is Haifa on the Path to Becoming Israel's Next Tel Aviv?

Concentration Camp, Illegal Orders and War Crimes: Israel's Madmen Have a Grim New Plan

Would You Like a Killing Field in Gaza With Your Overpriced, Israeli-cool Pita?

'Dirty Zionist, We Won't Listen to the Song Because of You'

500 Missiles, 200 Interceptors, $1.5 Billion: Behind Iran's Attacks on Israel

Israeli Mothers Allowed Their Children to Be Sacrificed for Generations. No Longer