No More Macho, Macho Man

October 23, 2006 - 9:22 PM by

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Once upon a time, it was cool for an Israeli guy, particularly a prominent and powerful Israeli guy to comment on, leer and even grab anything in a skirt. The more women, the better.

Times have changed. A great deal.

A recent article, dealing with the sexual misconduct affairs of Israel President Moshe Katsav, questions whether this and other publicized sexual misconduct and harassment cases involving Israel generals and political leaders marks the end of the stereotyped “macho” image of Israeli men. Referring back to former years, when men such as Moshe Dayan were known womanizers and even international sex symbols, the more recent scandals and court cases involving Israeli male personalities may mean that the cliché of the macho image may fast becoming history in present day Israeli society.

Delving into the history of modern day Zionism, in which Jewish “Hatluzim”, or pioneers, tamed a harsh and disease ridden land while constantly fighting off hordes of Arabs no longer appears to be the character of the modern Israeli male. While the colorful Dayan was able to carry on his activities without undue controversy, and male actors such as Uri Zohar and Yehuda Barkan displayed images of Israeli playboys and beach boys in their movies, the present legal embroilments of several Israeli male personalities have resulted in this ‘trait’ becoming more of a hindrance than an attribute.

Tags: • Category: Israeliness 

Comments

5 Comments on No More Macho, Macho Man

  1. Steve on Tue, Oct 24th 2006 12:49 AM

    2. Aha! So the world is finally starting to realize that it’s we American men who have got what it takes. Indeed, we too tamed a frontier and made it safe for a grateful nation, not by farming but by the gun, like real guys. And the ladies know we can tame them too. We’ll take your overflow, fellas, if Israeli men have lost their cachet. You know we are very supportive of Israel here, and always happy to help you out.

  2. David All on Thu, Oct 26th 2006 10:51 PM

    3. Yes, times have changed a lot from the 1960s when womanizers like JFK & Dayan were heroes and their skirt chasing antics were considered part of their charsimatic appeal, almost part of the fringe benefits of being a powerful official.
    Values have changed in a hurry and things that once were considered something to be winked at are now criminal offenses. This is for the good, Heroes, Heroines & Heroism are all important people & values, but they should not be considered a free pass from the obligations of the Community.

    About “fighting off hordes of Arabs”, recently, in a bookstore, stopped, picked up a copy of “Exodus” by Leon Uris and read some passages from it. The description of the lead Israeli man, (who was sort of based on Dayan & Rabin) & his actions seemed at best arachic and out of date.

  3. David on Fri, Oct 27th 2006 3:03 AM

    4. Oh yes things have changed – these days America and Israel worry about enemy civilians and risk the lives of their soldiers instead.

    Now THAT is the most immoral action of all.

    [Remember the 13 Israeli soldiers who were killed in Jenin because the Israeli government considers Arab civilians rather than Israeli soldiers]

  4. David All on Fri, Oct 27th 2006 10:07 PM

    5. Yes David, (hmm Echo in here!) we, (the US & Israel) should simply wipe out those savage dogs just like Good Old Putin & Our Gallant Russian Allies are doing in Checchnyia! (SARCASM!)

  5. David on Sun, Oct 29th 2006 3:14 PM

    6. No David All, you should learn from people such as Winston Churchill who led the BIG war that enabled Israel to even exist!

    That was not fought according to the very Christian, Augustine “Just War Theory” that is embraced by the US and Israel today, which amongst other things declares that enemy civilians ought to be protected even if it places the lives of soldiers in peril.

    So think on these things next time you see thousands of Arab civilians cheering for the destruction of Israel.

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