cultural gaps are very much alive and kicking

During my career I've worked with people around the world, all in the Tech industry.

Israeli-Californian cultural gap is huge.

It is made worse by the fact that Israelis usually have a good English level, some even have an okay accent - which makes their US counterpart expect them to use the same communication etiquette they are used to.

Californians will go out of their way to avoid any overt conflict.

Israelis see conflict as a valid form of day to day communications.

An Israeli can go out of a meeting thinking he was just being told "yes", while he was given a glaring "no" delivered in the All-American-speak.

I don't think it's so controversial to claim that different cultures have different default communication styles.

Israelis aren't the only ones who tend to be more direct than the average Californian. I usually appreciate it: corporate speech tends to dance around the point a bit, and bluntness saves time and clarifies where people stand. That said, I can also understand how some people would be taken aback or intimidated by excessive bluntness, especially from a superior.

Israelis are straight to the point without the typical American BS. I have been on a conference call with Israelis and Americans and every 15 seconds the Israelis would go on mute to complain how stupid the Americans sounded. They were speaking a lot but effectively saying nothing of value.

Say what you mean, mean what you say.

I would love to work with some Israelis or East Coasters sometime. Be refreshing :)