5 Things You Got Wrong About Israelis

While there are many misconceptions about Israel and her inhabitants, five common stereotypes center around Israeli culture, religiosity and politics.
In a country with a richly diverse population including Jews from all over the world, Arabs, Christians, Baha’is, and Druze, among others, Israel may be guilty of more than a few cliches... but maybe not the ones most would assume.

Chapters
00:00 Intro
00:31 Myth #1: Israelis are rude
00:52 Mandatory draft and army culture
01:18 Sense of community
01:54 Structure of the Hebrew language
02:30 Myth #2: Israelis are white
02:55 Worldwide aliyah and religious variety
03:32 Myth #3: Israelis are extremely religious
03:53 Hiloni (secular) and traditional Israelis
04:41 Myth #4: Israeli soldiers are all Jewish
04:55 Druze "Covenant of Blood" and Druzi IDF draft
05:50 Muslim Bedouin and Christian Arab IDF soldiers
06:03 Myth #5: Israelis are defined by the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict
06:23 Voter interest in the economy and cost of living
06:43 Common issues that consume Israelis
07:18 Diversity of Israeli
08:02 Outro

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Recommended video—The Origins of Antisemitic Stereotypes

Let’s connect:
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Image and footage credits:
Artgrid
Storyblocks
GreensEFA
U.S. Embassy Jerusalem
Israeli Foreign Ministry
Israeli Government Press Office / Fritz Cohen, David Eldan, Moshe Milner, Mark Neyman, Hans Pinn, Ya'akov Saar
News 360 TV
The Telegraph
Pexels
The Walt Disney Company / Lucasfilm Ltd / 20th Century Fox
Warner Bros
Bavaria Film / Michael Ende estate / Westdeutscher Rundfunk (WDR) / Producers Sales Organization (PSO) / Dieter Geissler Filmproduktion / Bavaria Studios / Constantin Film
NBC
The Israel Museum
Pixabay
Jewish Museum of New York
Rehovot Municipality
The Jewish Agency
Jas Shirel / Tel Aviv SDA Church
Sháy Savchuk
Andy Cherkess7
Arco Film/Lux Compagnie
slgckgc
Heritage Conservation Project Tel Aviv / Pikiwiki Israel
The Israeli Judicial Authority
Kee Woo Film (HK) Co. Ltd
Jerusalem Cinemateque / Yoman Geva. Yoman Carmel
Israel Defense Forces
The Israeli state commemoration project "Yizkor," organized by the Ministry of Defense
The Israeli Police Spokeperson's Office
Israel Channel 1
Yediot Acharonot / Ynet
Kan 11
IDF Spokesperson's Office
BBC
MSNBC
CNN
Coffeezilla
The Filmgroup
ITN
Global National
Jewish News One
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About Explainers: From ancient Jewish traditions to the modern State of Israel, we explain it all. Diving into anything and everything related to Jewish culture, history, and even religion.
Understand Jewish holidays, Israeli politics, Jewish diasporic communities, and more. Learn about Judaism in pop culture, debunking myths about Jews, and explore obscure Israeli landmarks. We’re asking questions as basic as “What is the Talmud?”, and as obscure as “How did hip-hop boost Kosher wine sales?”, and everything in between.

About Unpacked: We provide nuanced insights by unpacking all things Jewish. People are complex and complicated — yet we’re constantly being pushed to oversimplify our world. At Unpacked we know that being complex makes us more interesting. Because of this, we break the world down with nuance and insight to drive your curiosity and challenge your thinking.

#jewish #Israel #stereotypes

[soniamorales]

I spent my 84 birthday in Israel last year. I’ve used to travel, and visited several countries but never felt so safe and well serviced as in Israel. I’m not Jew. Thanks to all the people that helped me.

[GuyBernfeld]

I'm Israeli and unfortunately Israelis being rude is 100% accurate.. The fact that there are some friendly people doesn't mean that either locals or foreigners don't experience extremely rude and unpleasant people on a daily basis. In my experience way more than most countries I've been in

[AY-ufoz]

Yes I had some of these misconceptions when I visited Israel for the first time last Oct., after having been to about 40 countries. They were all debunked. And I completely fell in love with the country and want to go back.

[yonaavraham]

I'm an African American Orthodox Jew, who has lived in Israel for more than 20 years.I first came to Israel for a One Year study program at Hebrew University in 1979-80.
I would never have left, but I had responsibilities in the States, and could not returned until 2006.I have been here ever since, and pray I never have to leave again.
עם ישראל חי

[deannatheos]

Excellent I visited your country and I found the Israelis to be friendly well mannered people and I enjoyed my self. Thank you for this very informative video I enjoyed it.

[TheGeoChipre]

Let me just mention though that once you have visited Israel you shall you will easily realize that these are simply unfounded misconceptions.

[jrutt]

The greatest misconception that I had about Israelis is that most of them are religious! Percentage wise Israel is a very secular society! They party like Americans do!

[harrietlyall]

Yes, so true! I visited Jerusalem in 2017 and was struck by the sheer diversity of people, I’ve never seen so many different nationalities, ethnicities, faiths and cultures all rubbing shoulders. It’s a credit to Israel that it accommodates so many different varieties of human beings. As we say here in Scotland where I live “we’re all Jock Tamson’s bairns”!

[tommylinsley]

Unpacked makes great videos. Technical production value and useful subject matter makes Unpacked stand out. An underrated gem!

[tanyajacobs]

Israeli speaking here. Odd that when you mention secondary religions you don't mention Islam! The majority of non Jews in Israel are Muslim

[jonathanmurphy]

Thank you for making this profile. I am an American and Lutheran, of 54 years. I have visited Israel twice -in April 1990, when I was studying in Europe. And, again with members of my church, and my Dad, in Dec’2011. Both experiences were different, and locations had changed. A friend’s daughter just returned, from a college group tour, and we’re going to compare photos, and perceptions.

[Donn]

The late great Rabbi Adin Steinsaltz said the Torah like a hologram, for wherever you stand, it appears different. One could say Israel is very much like that as well.

[tupina]

Israelis are very cool people. I meet lot of them and have high respect always. Next step is to visit Israel. Greetings from Croatia🇭🇷🇮🇱

[claytonknight]

I have learned more about Jewish history and culture from your Unpacked video's. I wish I would have Paid more attention in school. God bless Israel

[susie]

Having lived in our Holy Land for eight years now, I would say you were spot on with the info you provided. One of the "misconceptions" you described was helpful to me as it was the only one I couldn't figure out on my own. Thank you for explaining this rudeness phenomenon. I have been wondering how this evolved ever since I can remember. I love it here so much but I am a very sensitive person and the culture from that perspective can be triggering. I have been working on not taking it personally because I don't want to be one to contribute to a lack of loving kindness toward my people. As Jonathan Pollard's wife (z"l) told him before she passed away: they don't look like you and they don't act like you but they are still your brothers and you have to give them respect.

[jacobreuter]

The direct speak is my favorite part of Israel honestly. Hate beating around the bush here in the US

[sydyidanton]

אני אוהב את ישראל! אם ישראל חי! תודה על הסרטון הנהדר הזה 🥰
I wish this terrific accurate material would reach a wider audience, the ignorant irrational haters might even rethink their bias.
I love the transparency and honesty of Israelis. It is a fabulous country I am always sad to leave. I’d make aliyah and live there in a heartbeat if not for the intense summer heat, I love a very warm spring day and love the extreme cold of winter, but anything above 28°C (82°F) I begin longing for snowfall!

[ChrisTopher-vszz]

THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU for such a wonderful channel! I just discovered you by accident... Yes, I'm Jewish. Very secular. But very very very CONSERVATIVE politically (USA resident). STRONG believer and supporter of Israel. I'm going to watch ALL of your videos!

[klausrain]

I went to Israel in 1972 when I was 25. I loved it and I loved the Israeli people. Spent 15 months there. Many many beautiful chicks there!

[vladistalewski]

Thanks a lot for such a comprehensive, balanced and interesting take on Israel❤