How can you all tell that Israel is a "She"?

[burythehatchet]

I've noticed that's how many people refer to Israel in the third person - "She" was attacked...the Arabs attacked "her"...etc.

Is this the opposite of demonizing, such as is done by the corporate media to Muslims?

[QuestionAll...]

1. I think countries (and ships) are generally called shes.

have no idea of the basis for that tho.

[burythehatchet]

4. I understand that, but

that sort of personalization does not seem to apply to Lebanon or any other country in the context of this invasion.

[jfxgillis]

8. Goes back to Old

Testament usage.

As for Lebanon, no, it doesn't get the gender Israel does, but it does sometimes take the definite article: Not any old Lebanon, THE Lebanon.

[cracksquirrel]

6. Well

You're probably not going to hear many Israelis referring to her as "the fatherland!"
:spank:

[Howardx]

2. ...

[ThomCat]

3. Countries, like ships, are traditionally "she."

The English language doesn't require gender specific language, bur romance languages do. Everything has been assigned an arbitrary gender.

[Sanity Claws]

5. You have to lift up the tail and take a look.

[cracksquirrel]

7. Also

*best Colbert impression*
You will also need a well-greased probe.

[pitohui]

9. all countries are a she

the only exception i have ever heard is germany called the fatherland but even germany i have never heard referred to as "he"

[Ignoramus]

10. Because of the vagina trees

All countries have exactly one of them, hence the name.

[hopein08]

11. Nazi Germany is the only country I've ever referred to as "he"...

as in "The Fatherland"