Kissing Through Glass: The Invisible Shield Between Americans and Israelis

``Hidden beneath Israel's Superman bravado is the Clark Kent of the Middle East,'' writes Starr, a political advisor on the Middle East in Washington, D.C. The average Israeli citizen, she contends, is an innate pessimist, cautiously conservative, full of deep-seated fears and insecurities. In contrast, Americans who have had extensive dealings with Israelis often describe them as arrogant, blunt, infuriating, willful or defensive. For their part, Israelis--who have deeply ingrained traditions of social welfare, communal support and friendship--tend to view Americans as a parochial, superficial people given to appalling levels of violence and closed to new ideas. This absorbing commentary holds up a mirror to each culture, with reflections that are both fresh and surprising. (Nov.)