You really assumed a lot from my statement, all I did was state a fact ;^) I never even hinted that I'm in favour of an ultra-orthodox state. That came right out of your head.

Not every Jew is welcome in Israel. Jews who are deemed to present a security threat to the country are not welcome in Israel. Norman Finkelstein and Noam Chompsky are not welcome in Israel. Meyer Lansky, who was Jewish and pro-Israel, was prevented from settling in Israel solely because of his ties to the Mafia. Now I'm not saying you fit into that category, but as far as I'm concerned, spitting on and slandering the only country in the world that would take you in as a Jew and foot the bill for that privilege, is simply perfidy and treachery.

Israeli expats are moving back to Israel in droves, as is an ever-increasing number of American Jews. As for the secular/antireligious Jews living in the Diaspora, the high intermarriage rate and low birth rate speak volumes. Do feel free, though, to remain Chutz l'Aretz for all but your 2 months-a-year vacation. Do feel free not to lecture Israel or Israelis, at any time, about anything.

The majority of Israelis do want Israel to be a Jewish State, but not a religious State ruled according to Halachah. To simplify matters for your limited understanding of the topic, suffice it to say that the vast majority of Israeli Jews oppose changing the words of the Hatikvah and the National Flag and other state symbols, which have a clear Jewish connotation. Real Jews understand that Jews are above all a people and a nation, and not just a religious group. One has to wonder as to why you are confused on that point.

Depends? Its a title for anyone who practices and or adheres, to some interpretation of the commands laws and ordinances handed down by Moses. We know those commands were given twice. Once on Sinai and once on Horeb. The Rabbi's say Horeb and Sinai are the same place. Although they may or may not be the same place, we know for it was a different time. Malachi said we should hearken to the word of Moshe which he have at Horeb. This means we should hearken unto the commands given in Deuteronomy. When reading Deuteronomy you find that according to Moshe...it is not Moshe you should hearken too. For who understand the Law of the virgin? If her Mother and her Father can not produce the tokens of her virginity what should be done with her? If you hang a man why should you remove it from the tree before night fall? Is it not an abomination to the Lord? Wherefore does thine enemy perpetually hang a dead thing before the Lord. For that which is dust shall go unto dust, right? Yeah,they take to sticks and dress it that they might die. Where did satan come from and who devised it? A man names himself serpent and and deceives a woman. A woman speaks the truth yet still she did disobey. The Lord is the witness who says " At the witness of two or three shall a man be put to death". Howbeit a woman is the only person of all history to hear a serpent speak? Deal with no serpent neither take it by the tail anymore. But you will know that the Lord who is one, Adversary and Savior and there is none else. Who is a Jew?

with a majority of Haredim. They are not sufficiently educated to run a complex modern society.

will be in the dustbin when there will be a clear Jewish majority.The Jewish steamroller is coming.

Dealing with Rabbanut and Hevrat Kadisha in most important and senesetive events of the lifetime turned me and MANY others out of Judaism in modern Haredi way, i.e. corrupted, parasitical, cynical, racist, hysterical. Religion and belives are the spititual part of human existence and cannot be profession, craft or part of political activism. Current situation in israel have nothing to do with real democracy, partially because of dispropsional power of clerics.

who are you to decide who has something to do with Irael or not? Know your place in the ghetto. I smell Haredi clerk from Moatza ha-datit who decide on other people Jewishness. SHHHHH up.

year? They perpetuate the myth for their kids, but nobody in his right mind would want to run a country/life based on that fallacy. We do too perpetuate our haredim's childish notion of Messiah & hand out money ALL the time and not only on Hanukkah! (I know, the Christians have their Messiah/Jesus, actually OUR Messiah) but they've relegated him to be " used in private" only.

Was indeed founded in 78 , but it did not hold . They had too much problems . In 1883 it was established for a second time . It were NOT the religious Jews who made the town of today , with her industry , it were mostly seculars . It were a majority of seculars who signed Israel's independance declaration . Most ultra orthodox Jews even opposed the establishment of the State . They didn't allow the Palmach [ seculars ! ] who fought their way to Yeroushalaim to bring them food . to enter the old town , it was Shabbat . Today they don't contribute very much to our country either

Israel MUST remain a state FOR Jews , TRUE Jews , religious AND secular . You don't become a Jew because you received a piece of paper from a so called rabbi . A conversion MUST be done for serious religious reasons , not only to get married as it often happens abroad . I'm in favor of public transportation 365/365 . Shops and bussinesses must have the choice of their rest day , but nobody may be obliged to work on Shabbat .

Israelis are a nation and the Hatikvah is only mentioning Jews because of the historical connection. Two hundred years ago everybody was religious, but not today, and my Israeli passport is the clearest evidence of my national identity. There is no such a thing as a Jewish passport, as there is not a Christian or Muslim passport. Nationality is by passports, by national borders. Israelis are a NATION, consisting of those who live within the borders of Israel or hold its citizenship, and it is irrelevant from which religion, or from which ethnic group they come. Please write it down.

but Rishon LeZion had the first Hebrew school. Hebrew = our ethnicity. "Torah Judaism" - a religious cult that has only been strong since the Romans destroyed the country.

Israel was established 65 years ago as a homeland for the Jews. This is the only reason for the name and existence of the state. It is also the reason why you, Sarah B and other dual nationals have an Israeli passport. You, or your parents, received citizenship under the Law of Return. Of course this does not exclude a secular state where the rule of law is paramount. However, by denying that Israel is a Jewish homeland, you are denying your right to live there. You could move, that would solve your problem. If you do not want to move far away, you could try Gaza There everybody agrees with you.

.....shows that the number of Israeli in favor of separating religion from the State reached a new high in Jewish year 5773, standing at 61%

As a Christian, friend of Israel, I think that State and Religion must ever be separated. Europe had suffered very much because of bad influences among our churches and kingdoms or old republics. Increased atheism has been the result. The Jewish identity of your country doesn't mean intolerance for "liberals" and "seculars", nor for other minorities. And, of course, a good laicism can not ignore basic religious values.

it was for the Israeli Nation, for people of Israel. I did not do it for the Jews of America or England or Timbuktu. The Law of Return is merely a formality used to enter the country. Serving Israel is what made me a citizen by my own free will. I have earned my citizenship right to my state and not to an ethnic group which calls itself "Jewish." Consider yourself estranged from me.

You can hold dual nationality, you can vote in every Israeli election, you can write as many posts (here) as you desire. You will never belong nor fit into our Israeli life. Keep trying, keep writing, we do not accept you nor do we give an ounce of respect to your views.

''When you put your life on the line for Israel'' you were defending your own people, the Jews. Thanks for that, Michael.

Petach Tikwa founded in 1878 mainly by Orthodox religious Jews, also known as The Old Yishuv, became a permanent settlement in 1883 with the financial help of Baron Edmond de Rothschild.

i Know Your "copy paste" from wikipedia ! Well , they had to abandon this first attempt , had not the abilities to vercome the problems [ Martin Gilbert ]

A piece of paper won't be required when you die but if it isn't required now, how will you prove you are a Jew, just because you say so? You might say your mother was a Jew, but just because you say so, or will you provide that piece of paper called a ketuba? Otherwise it is your word against someone who says you are not a Jew. Or you could eat kosher and keep Shabbat which would give other people some confidence that you really are.

Yes, those who needed shelter in Israel were defended, were sheltered. Among them were Kurds, Druzes, Russians, and Arabs, along with Jews. You don't really mean to thank me. You mock me shamelessly. To your kind I was a fool, a cheap kapara, a gun powder. The 61% of Israelis who want the separation feel like I do. We will attain the separation, WE WILL!

Try to understand what i wrote before making some remarks . I was talking about conversions , not about the "need to have a paper" . It's not a "piece of paper" that MAKES you Jewish , you receive this "paper" when needed BECAUSE you are Jewish . To make Alyah i was told to bring a certificate that i was Jewish . i didn't bring one from a "so called rabbi" but from the Charedi community in my town , the Charedi Rabbanut . And this even as they knew i'm secular , but 100 % Jewish

Paste, nope, copied, yes. I know they had to abandon the first attempt & succeeded at the 2nd attempt, with the financial help of Baron Edmond de rothschild.

Well done Charles, you are 100% correct. Shana Tovah & shavua tov to you.

Wrong. I do not mock you, I do not think you were a fool & I do not think you a cheap kapara. I meant every word I wrote, thanking you.