New Tumblr “Palestinder” Is What Happens When Ethno-National Geopolitics Meets Social Dating

What could possibly make the experience of using a hook-up app even worse? How about the infusion of nothing less than the Israeli/Palestinian conflict into the already-awful world of online dating. Enter Palestinder, a new tumblr filled awkward encounters with Israeli swipe-right’ers from across the Green Line.

Here’s how the anonymous brains behind Palestinder explain their project:

Does love conquer all? During a summer working in the West Bank a few 20-somethings decided to create a little social experiment: How will the Israeli occupation of Palestine be reflected in dating apps? We joined Tinder/Grindr, both of which were primarily populated by Israelis… Below are some of our many conversations

(NOTE: I’m guessing “primarily populated by Israelis” specifically means “within an X mile radius from their location” and not, you know, just in general.)

Palestinder is full of charming interactions like this:

via Palestinder.tumblr.com

via Palestinder.tumblr.com

And this:

via Palestinder.tumblr.com

via Palestinder.tumblr.com

Some users are concerned about safety issues:

via Palestinder.tumblr.com

via Palestinder.tumblr.com

Even if it means missing out on a potential booty call:

via Palestinder.tumblr.com

via Palestinder.tumblr.com

And some people…well, they’ve just got one thing on their mind:

via Palestinder.tumblr.com

via Palestinder.tumblr.com

Does Palestinder cherry-pick exaggerated reactions from among the endless swirling digital abyss of online daters? Almost certainly.

Can it be funny as hell, anyways? Absolutely.

What do you think?

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Zayin B'Ayin

Heeb's foremost authority

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