"We kissed and then I told him where I'm from": When the war seeps into a date abroad

A magazine feature describing how the October 7 war changed the dating experience of Israelis and Jews in the diaspora. Interviewees recount hostile reactions, accusations of genocide, and overt antisemitism on dates in New York, alongside personal stories of families breaking up due to political divides.

A magazine feature on N12 examines how the October 7, 2023 war infiltrated the dating world of Israelis and Jews in the diaspora, focusing on experiences in New York. Interviewees describe harsh reactions when they reveal their Israeli origin: accusations of genocide, cries of "baby killer," and verbal abuse. Shahar, a 43-year-old property manager living in Manhattan, recounts a date that ended in shouting and a drink being thrown, as well as a divorce from his Jewish-American wife due to political rifts that worsened after the war. Dor, a 32-year-old actress and singer, recalls a date that began with a romantic coincidence and ended after another woman accused her of "genocide." The article paints a picture of rising antisemitism in public and intimate spaces, noting that many prefer to stay within the familiar Israeli circle.