Is Israel a Jewish State?

[Nakosis]

JERUSALEM — Israel passed a controversial new “nation-state law” last week that’s sparking both celebration and fierce debate over the very nature of Israel itself.
The law does three big things:

1. It states that “the right to exercise national self-determination” in Israel is “unique to the Jewish people.”
2. It establishes Hebrew as Israel’s official language, and downgrades Arabic — a language widely spoken by Arab Israelis — to a “special status.”
3. It establishes “Jewish settlement as a national value” and mandates that the state “will labor to encourage and promote its establishment and development.”

Israel’s hugely controversial “nation-state” law, explained

Ok, 2018 so maybe out of date but this does seem to imply that Israel is a Jewish state.
If this is true, then imo, a "Jewish" state shouldn't exist and I certainly don't mean that anyone, especially Jews ought to be wipe out to rectify this.

There are folks who see Israel as a Jewish state especially Muslims. If this is not true then Israel should take steps to change that perception. I got to say though neither the name of Israel nor the flag helps with that perception.

It is better imo for a state to not to promote one ethnicity over another. The Jewish ethnicity seems far too embedded for a peaceful coexistence.

The murder of a Muslim ought to as abhorrent to the government of Israel as the murder of a Jew. Restrict a person to an area because of their ethnicity is wrong. It was wrong when the US did so to Native Americans, it is wrong now.

And I understand the idea being to protect your people, but they should all be your people. Even the people you would call terrorists. You should protect them from themself and everyone else regardless of their ethnicity.

Of course this is only if Israel is looking for peace in the Middle East. If not then nothing stated here matters.

 

[Saint Frankenstein]

Yes, Israel is a Jewish ethnostate and that law is still the law. That's why people have been saying for decades that Zionism is racism, because it is.

 

[GoodAttention]

JERUSALEM — Israel passed a controversial new “nation-state law” last week that’s sparking both celebration and fierce debate over the very nature of Israel itself.
The law does three big things:

1. It states that “the right to exercise national self-determination” in Israel is “unique to the Jewish people.”
2. It establishes Hebrew as Israel’s official language, and downgrades Arabic — a language widely spoken by Arab Israelis — to a “special status.”
3. It establishes “Jewish settlement as a national value” and mandates that the state “will labor to encourage and promote its establishment and development.”

Israel’s hugely controversial “nation-state” law, explained

Ok, 2018 so maybe out of date but this does seem to imply that Israel is a Jewish state.
If this is true, then imo, a "Jewish" state shouldn't exist and I certainly don't mean that anyone, especially Jews ought to be wipe out to rectify this.

There are folks who see Israel as a Jewish state especially Muslims. If this is not true then Israel should take steps to change that perception. I got to say though neither the name of Israel nor the flag helps with that perception.

It is better imo for a state to not to promote one ethnicity over another. The Jewish ethnicity seems far too embedded for a peaceful coexistence.

The murder of a Muslim ought to as abhorrent to the government of Israel as the murder of a Jew. Restrict a person to an area because of their ethnicity is wrong. It was wrong when the US did so to Native Americans, it is wrong now.

And I understand the idea being to protect your people, but they should all be your people. Even the people you would call terrorists. You should protect them from themself and everyone else regardless of their ethnicity.

Of course this is only if Israel is looking for peace in the Middle East. If not then nothing stated here matters.

Given this article is more than 5 years old, is this news dated and/or is there any challenge in the Supreme Court over this?

In any case the answer is yes Israel is a Jewish state, followed by.. and what of it?

 

[Nakosis]

Given this article is more than 5 years old, is this news dated and/or is there any challenge in the Supreme Court over this?

In any case the answer is yes Israel is a Jewish state, followed by.. and what of it?

In which case, imo, there will never be peace in the Middle East. Basically a Jewish state and peace cannot coexist in the Middle East.

 

[GoodAttention]

In which case, imo, there will never be peace in the Middle East. Basically a Jewish state and peace cannot coexist in the Middle East.

Sure, but I think you mean there will never be pease, short for appeasement of Muslim nations, which is a position I personally support Israel on 100%.

 

[Godobeyer]

JERUSALEM — Israel passed a controversial new “nation-state law” last week that’s sparking both celebration and fierce debate over the very nature of Israel itself.
The law does three big things:

1. It states that “the right to exercise national self-determination” in Israel is “unique to the Jewish people.”
2. It establishes Hebrew as Israel’s official language, and downgrades Arabic — a language widely spoken by Arab Israelis — to a “special status.”
3. It establishes “Jewish settlement as a national value” and mandates that the state “will labor to encourage and promote its establishment and development.”

Israel’s hugely controversial “nation-state” law, explained

Ok, 2018 so maybe out of date but this does seem to imply that Israel is a Jewish state.
If this is true, then imo, a "Jewish" state shouldn't exist and I certainly don't mean that anyone, especially Jews ought to be wipe out to rectify this.

There are folks who see Israel as a Jewish state especially Muslims. If this is not true then Israel should take steps to change that perception. I got to say though neither the name of Israel nor the flag helps with that perception.

It is better imo for a state to not to promote one ethnicity over another. The Jewish ethnicity seems far too embedded for a peaceful coexistence.

The murder of a Muslim ought to as abhorrent to the government of Israel as the murder of a Jew. Restrict a person to an area because of their ethnicity is wrong. It was wrong when the US did so to Native Americans, it is wrong now.

And I understand the idea being to protect your people, but they should all be your people. Even the people you would call terrorists. You should protect them from themself and everyone else regardless of their ethnicity.

Of course this is only if Israel is looking for peace in the Middle East. If not then nothing stated here matters.

There millions Palestinians refugees, kicked from their homes, they not welcome to back their homes/land, but if anyone Jew is welcome.
Israel is only country in world which give citizenship due your race and religion.

 

[Godobeyer]

In which case, imo, there will never be peace in the Middle East. Basically a Jewish state and peace cannot coexist in the Middle East.

Because it's racist states, which used it's superior idealogy of "The chosen humans" Over others.And persecution of both religions, especially muslims.

So when Palestinians don't have the right to resist this regime?

 

[Nakosis]

Sure, but I think you mean there will never be pease, short for appeasement of Muslim nations, which is a position I personally support Israel on 100%.

Or destruction of the surrounding non-Jewish states which seems to be to option Israel is going for.

 

[Jedster]

@Nakosis


Israel is a state where (almost) any Jew can become a citizen. I don't see it as a Jewish state in the same way as I do see Saudi Arabia a Muslim state.
I emigrated there in 1969 because of all the ant-Semitism I was seeing and experiencing in England.
I became a citizen and served briefly in the army during the 1973 war.
During my time there, I was educated in computing and worked as an analyst programmer.

Soon after the war I became a follower of a guru who I followed around the planet for over 20 years.
During those years I became aware of Dharmic writings that I still read today(even as an atheist).
I left the guru, but retained much of what I learnt. (Especially meditation.)
I ended up back in England.

I was never much into politics there as I am today apolitical.
Regarding the Nation State Law, I never saw the necessity of it. Maybe it was some political move, I really don't know.

Today in 2024, antisemitism has reared it's ugly head again here(in England) and around the world. Jews are beginning to leave the home countries, for Israel.


JSCA

 

[Nakosis]

@Nakosis


Israel is a state where (almost) any Jew can become a citizen. I don't see it as a Jewish state in the same way as I do see Saudi Arabia a Muslim state.
I emigrated there in 1969 because of all the ant-Semitism I was seeing and experiencing in England.
I became a citizen and served briefly in the army during the 1973 war.
During my time there, I was educated in computing and worked as an analyst programmer.

Soon after the war I became a follower of a guru who I followed around the planet for over 20 years.
During those years I became aware of Dharmic writings that I still read today(even as an atheist).
I left the guru, but retained much of what I learnt. (Especially meditation.)
I ended up back in England.

I was never much into politics there as I am today apolitical.
Regarding the Nation State Law, I never saw the necessity of it. Maybe it was some political move, I really don't know.

Today in 2024, antisemitism has reared it's ugly head again here(in England) and around the world. Jews are beginning to leave the home countries, for Israel.


JSCA

I don't know that allowing for a Jewish state is the way to go about combating antisemitism. At least it doesn't seem to have worked.

You can be different but not entitled, especially entitled by the law because of your difference. A law can only go as far as ensuring your equal treatment. Anything beyond that is likely to cause problems.

I prefer being apolitical as well. IMO, there is no winning in politics.

 

[GoodAttention]

Or destruction of the surrounding non-Jewish states which seems to be to option Israel is going for.

Lebanon and Syria?

What is the Arab equivalent for Banana Republic?

 

[Nakosis]

Lebanon and Syria?

What is the Arab equivalent for Banana Republic?

That's one way to achieve peace. To eliminate all hostile combatants.

A Banana Republic is a country with an economy of state capitalism, whereby the country is operated as a private commercial enterprise for the exclusive profit of the ruling class. Does that sound familiar?

 

[GoodAttention]

That's one way to achieve peace. To eliminate all hostile combatants.

A Banana Republic is a country with an economy of state capitalism, whereby the country is operated as a private commercial enterprise for the exclusive profit of the ruling class. Does that sound familiar?

When you Google Banana Republic -

“A small state that is politically unstable as a result of the domination of its economy by a single export controlled by foreign capital”.

The above certainly sounds like Hezbollah courtesy of Iran does it not?

 

[Jedster]

I don't know that allowing for a Jewish state is the way to go about combating antisemitism. At least it doesn't seem to have worked.

You can be different but not entitled, especially entitled by the law because of your difference. A law can only go as far as ensuring your equal treatment. Anything beyond that is likely to cause problems.

I prefer being apolitical as well. IMO, there is no winning in politics.

Well Israel is here and likely will stay around for a long time until people rise above their differences.(Imagine, John Lennon).
The state has certainly saved many Jewish lives and continues to do so.
There are many non-Jewish Israelis as well.
One example, Ahmadi Muslims have sizable community in Israel. Israel is the only place in the middle east where they can practice their religion. They are generally not recognised by other Muslims and suffer persecution.

 

[Jayhawker Soule]

From the Times of Israel, July 20, 2024:

Day 298 Of The War: Erase The Nation State Law​

​

Last Saturday night, I wasn’t in Kaplan. Currently I am visiting my family abroad, but like so many other Israelis, I stay connected to everything which is going on in Israel. That’s how I heard, almost in real time, about the horrible tragedy in the north, the Hezbollah rocket attack that killed 12 children playing football outside in the Druze town of Majdal Shams in the Golan Heights. In addition to the casualties, over forty people were wounded in the attack.​

​

For the last 10 months, we wake up every day to new horrible tragedies, and there is no one we can turn to for bringing an end to this bloodshed and the necessary changes. On the Israeli side, we have a cynical and corrupt government that cares nothing about the welfare of the citizens, children included. On the Hamas side, the terrorists who brought about the slaughter on October 7 do not care about anybody in Gaza, including children. Apparently, they feel that they have nothing to lose.​

​

The grieving residents of Majdal Shams did the right thing when they kicked out the members of the government who came to pay their respects and offer condolences. It is not surprising that in this Druze town, Netanyahu was persona non grata as well. This disastrous government does nothing to protect them; quite the contrary.​

​

In 2018, another right-wing extremist government headed by Netanyahu successfully sabotaged the good relationship between the Arab citizens, especially the Druze, and the state when they passed the Nation-State Law (Nationality Law), which established the elevated status of Jews in Israel above all other citizens. This unjust law was a stab in the Druze citizens’ back and created a rift within our country. Given the current war, and especially after the tragedy in Majdal Shams, it is high time to erase this law and get rid of Netanyahu and his extremist government.​

It is a deeply ugly travesty.

 

[MayPeaceBeUpOnYou]

Well Israel is here and likely will stay around for a long time until people rise above their differences.(Imagine, John Lennon).
The state has certainly saved many Jewish lives and continues to do so.
There are many non-Jewish Israelis as well.
One example, Ahmadi Muslims have sizable community in Israel. Israel is the only place in the middle east where they can practice their religion. They are generally not recognised by other Muslims and suffer persecution.

I don’t think that Jews are more safe because of Israel. I would argue they are more in danger because Israel was declared to be a Jewish state. I mean it’s clear this caused a explosion of increase of antisemitism.

A British jew that wrote a letter to the government of Britain to advise to reject the bellefour declaration. His argument the colonial project itself is antisemitism and the use of violence against the indigenous people will only increase the antisemitism around the world.

Montagu Memo on British Government's Anti-Semitism

Encyclopedia of Jewish and Israeli history, politics and culture, with biographies, statistics, articles and documents on topics from anti-Semitism to Zionism.

www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org

 

[Stevicus]

JERUSALEM — Israel passed a controversial new “nation-state law” last week that’s sparking both celebration and fierce debate over the very nature of Israel itself.
The law does three big things:

1. It states that “the right to exercise national self-determination” in Israel is “unique to the Jewish people.”
2. It establishes Hebrew as Israel’s official language, and downgrades Arabic — a language widely spoken by Arab Israelis — to a “special status.”
3. It establishes “Jewish settlement as a national value” and mandates that the state “will labor to encourage and promote its establishment and development.”

Israel’s hugely controversial “nation-state” law, explained

Ok, 2018 so maybe out of date but this does seem to imply that Israel is a Jewish state.
If this is true, then imo, a "Jewish" state shouldn't exist and I certainly don't mean that anyone, especially Jews ought to be wipe out to rectify this.

There are folks who see Israel as a Jewish state especially Muslims. If this is not true then Israel should take steps to change that perception. I got to say though neither the name of Israel nor the flag helps with that perception.

It is better imo for a state to not to promote one ethnicity over another. The Jewish ethnicity seems far too embedded for a peaceful coexistence.

The murder of a Muslim ought to as abhorrent to the government of Israel as the murder of a Jew. Restrict a person to an area because of their ethnicity is wrong. It was wrong when the US did so to Native Americans, it is wrong now.

And I understand the idea being to protect your people, but they should all be your people. Even the people you would call terrorists. You should protect them from themself and everyone else regardless of their ethnicity.

Of course this is only if Israel is looking for peace in the Middle East. If not then nothing stated here matters.

Could someone simply convert to Judaism or just sign a paper to that effect? Just like prospective citizens of the U.S. have to pass a test.

 

[Jayhawker Soule]

Could someone simply convert to Judaism or just sign a paper to that effect? Just like prospective citizens of the U.S. have to pass a test.

No, nor is the question -- which suggests that someone "need only" deny who they are -- particularly relevant.

 

[Yerda]

It states that “the right to exercise national self-determination” in Israel is “unique to the Jewish people.”

What does this mean for Arabs or members of other national groups in Israel?

I'm Scottish and fairly supportive of our national movement for self-determination. I wouldn't expect that an independent Scottish state would grant the right to exercise national self-determination to other national groups within Scotland, except insofar as they would also be Scottish.

So I'm a bit confused about what these words mean and imply in the context.

Anyone help me out?

 

[9-10ths_Penguin]

It states that “the right to exercise national self-determination” in Israel is “unique to the Jewish people.”

What does this mean for Arabs or members of other national groups in Israel?

I'm Scottish and fairly supportive of our national movement for self-determination. I wouldn't expect that an independent Scottish state would grant the right to exercise national self-determination to other national groups within Scotland, except insofar as they would also be Scottish.

So I'm a bit confused about what these words mean and imply in the context.

Anyone help me out?

I think the difference between Scottish nationalism and Jewish nationalism is that Scottish nationalism has room for people who are Scottish by choice... e.g. recent immigrants. "Scottish" isn't being defined in terms of a particular ethnicity or religious identity.

Dario Franchitti, for instance, is Scottish and is as entitled as any other Scot to participate in Scottish self-determination, despite being the grandchild of immigrants from Italy. Would the Israeli equivalent of Dario Franchitti - i.e. someone who has lived in Israel his whole life but isn't religiously or ethnically Jewish - also be entitled to take part in his country's self-determination?