"Jewish state"..........

[little_monkey]

"Jewish state" is simply the same flawed logic I see when I hear "Christian nation". It sets up a social pecking order, EVEN IF IT PROTECTS MINORITIES. It is still saying "Yea we will let you live here". It isn't just a matter of "letting someone" it is a matter of seeing them as equal, and not merely a house guest.

Perhaps, some historical context is needed to understand what's behind the words "Jewish State" as you keep thinking it's religious. When the state of Israel was established, note they didn't call it Judea, as it was referred in the bible, and that's because the word "Jewish" can be confusing to some people. So "Israel" was chosen. In fact, many Jews in many countries, before the state of Israel was founded, were called Israelis and not Jews. But in the aftermath of Germany and the Nazis persecution, the word "Jew" (Jude in German) was all over the world. Also, since the Jews had been dispersed all over Europe by the Romans, there was a great push to open Israel to all those of Jewish ancestry ( Note: Jewish in the ethnic sense). So a policy was formulated that any one of Jewish ancestry can automatically immigrate to Israel. As an example, Woody Allen is of Jewish origin. He could, if he so chose, immigrate to Israel even though he is an atheist and has spent most of his life ridiculing the Jewish faith. His entry into Israel would be based on his Jewish origins, not his religious belief.

In regard to Bibi, he is simply pandering to the religious right, just like any Republican politicians in the US pandering to the Christian Right. His words are not to be taken as exemplary of what most Israelis believe.