Ugly Americans

"I am reminded of the cliche of “the ugly American” — the garrulous, arrogant and wealthy (usually white) American tourist who travels to exotic locales and fails to seriously engage with the reality of his surroundings. Let me be plain: This cliche does not represent my group’s outlook or political orientation, but it does reflect the content of our trip. Traveling around Israel, meeting with Israeli military leaders and hearing Jerusalem Post correspondent Gil Hoffman heap praise on right-wing Israeli Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu were all a part of my winter break. Connecting with Palestinian community leaders, traveling more deeply into the West Bank and meeting anti-occupation activists from the West Bank and Israel, on the contrary, were not."