For those who promote and defend theocracy - whether in Israel, Iran or anywhere else - there is of course no argument which could persuade them otherwise. I guess I must have a poor understanding of the rationale underpinning the establishment of Israel since I thought it was about the creation of a national home for Jewish people whether religious or secular - not the creation of a theological dictatorship.

...rather than indulge in puerile tit for tat. I don't defend the intrusion of religion in the affairs of state in the UK either, but if Jake thinks we should only worry about 'our own backyards' then he should do the same. I have no problem at all with religion of any kind as long as it it does not interfere with the basic freedoms of others - including the freedom to be religious or not. Finally, I most definitely did not compare Israel with Iran - but there are clearly some people in Israel (and in other countries, too) who do indeed wish for a theological dictatorship (see Kelilah above).