In the Mind of a Jewish American

When initially choosing a novel, we were immediately 
drawn to the art style and color usage in How to 
Understand Israel in 60 Days or Less, which
prompted our decision to read it. Little did we know 
that thenarration would contain heavier topics than we 
had envisioned with the watercolors and thin outlines.
One question that kept popping into our minds was, 
“How does Glidden’s view of Israel develop throughout 
the novel? ”From the beginning, it is made clear her  
decision to go on the birthright trip is to reassure her view

of Israel as the “bad guy” in the Israel-Palestine conflict.

When Glidden first attends the birthright trip, she already

decides that Israel is wrong, taking a progressive leftist 

view point. Her skeptical attitude causes her to hold a

negative opinion about the trip, assuming it to be infused

with “zionist propaganda”. Because of her determination, 

we often found ourselvesfrustrated at her lack of empathy

and closed mindset. This particular page of the comic is a

scene where the tour guide and Sarah are talking, and she

brings up why Israel has to be a Jewish state. Hurt, the tour 

guide retorts back to make her understand his side. On page 

119, Glidden says, “It’s just more complicated than you

think."

Her cynical view point comes off as hypocritical as she 

attempts to disregard the viewpoints of Israelis living 

through this conflict,assuming they have been 

brainwashed, while her limited knowledge is through

the internet instead of first person experience.

pg. 119

Glidden refuses to take anything at face value and 
always makes an effort to nitpick others’words.   
Glidden criticizes how the Israelis are handling the 
Palestinian conflict, believing they are overbearing,
yet assumes what she thinks to be right before 
taking a step into the country. She frequently
reminds the reader her goal is to reassure her previous
assumptions about Israel as the bad guys too. On page 104, “ 
I came here… I think I wanted to know for sure that Israel 
was the bad guy. I wanted to know that I could cut it out of
my life for good.”

pg. 104

Up until her visiting Tel Aviv, she is opinionated and 
desensitized; however, the speech delivered in 
Independence Hall makes her change a little. She 
becomes vulnerable to thereal pressing issues, recognizing 
it is more than just politics. Her empathy takes over and
sends her into episodes of emotional breakdowns. As
she continues to learn more and be receptive to others’ 
perspectives, she finds herself caught in a limbo. There 
is no definite right or wrong, and it deeply bothers her
as it was her mission to prove to herself Israel is the bad 
guy. Glidden begins to acknowledge that the solution is not
clean cut, and everyone has different opinions. Ultimately, 
everything is more complicated than she thought. 

Pg. 106

She begins to self-reflect and call herself out on her 
prejudice against Israel. She slowly recognizes that many of 
the actions of Israelis were due to their need to survive, and
even acknowledges the difficulty the early Jews of Israel
faced after the presentation in the Independence Hall. 

pg. 96

She also reaches out to her fellow travelers asking for 

their viewpoints. Rather than declaring Israelis make 

immoral choices and brainwashtheir people, Glidden asks

more questions while vocalizing her internal emotional 

battle. Her struggle tograsp a clearcut view on Israel is 

heightened through these conversations with her peers

after the Independence Hall speech.

We think it’s left to the reader to interpret her feelings at 
the end of the novel because it isn’t explicitly stated, but
it is clear that something has changed. Her 
closed-mindedness gradually changes into an 
understanding and sympathetic nature. And so, her 
original plan to turn her back on Israel didn't work out in
the end.Instead, she finds her second home and grows a 
little closer to it. If you are interested in learning more 
about her journey, be sure to visit Glidden's website.