Gender Equals Nationality
Whether its the US or Italy, the gender-specific presentation of Israel in tabloid media is always the same. Take, for example, the cover of the current Italian edition of GQ, featuring Israeli supermodel Bar Refaeli.
Acknowledging from the outset the model’s nationality, with the headline “make love not war,” Refaeli’s origins, however inferred, is part of what determines her overall appeal. She is not only sexy, but Israeli.
Whether the story was planted or not (witness the 2007 Maxim spread, Women of the IDF), the creative headline writing displays an obvious awareness of how Israel is considered synonymous with violence.
Needless to say, its the first time since our arrival in Milan that I’ve encountered messaging about Israel that might be read as positive. That is, if you see the use of womens’ bodies for said purposes in such a light.
PAM supermarket magazine rack, central Milan. 3/6/09.