What does it matter that Israel calls itself a secular state?

It dosen t Hitler didn t ask any one of the jew he killed if he is a secular or religious

A secular state just means that the religious authorities do not control the country. The country is run on democratic principles, and not halakha (Jewish law). While Jewish tradition may influence certain laws, the Old Testament and other Jewish sources are not considered binding in any legal terms.

Actually, I would prefer it if Israel would call itself a religiously Jewish state. Atleast then I could say that the Israelis have insisted on making a country in the area out of their religious beliefs. I may not agree with it, but atleast I know there is some principled conviction behind it since they believe they are living God's will for them to be there. What bothers me is the atheist Jews who go just because they may have some economic opportunities that are better than in their country of birth. They are even willing to settle in occupied land, not out of conviction, but because it puts more money in their pocket, esp. with the incentives that Israel offers taxwise and loanwise. Despite its being secular though, isn't it true that there are certain discriminations, esp. when it comes to housing and building? I once knew a Palestinian with Israeli citizenship who said it is almost impossible for Arabs to get building permits in Jerusalem. She also said that she would have to go back from the US because she had some empty land and the Israelis would take it if she wasn't careful. Now I ask you, would a Jewish Israeli have these problems? I've also heard that certain areas do not allow Arabs to live in them. My point being, if Israel is truly secular, giving absolutely all rights to all citizens, how does that account for the above? Hamarker-Thank you for your comments. I have never lived in Israel, so this didn't happen to me. I'm not even an Arab, but an American. I'm just reporting what I was told by a Palestinian who is an Israeli citizen. I seem to remember watching a documentary that gave the same idea. I'll try to do some research on this.

Nope, it does not matter to me. In fact, I always support a secular state since it is a state or country that is officially neutral in matters of religion, neither supporting nor opposing any particular religious beliefs or practices. A secular state also treats all its citizens equally regardless of religion, and does not give preferential treatment for a citizen from a particular religion over other religions. Most often it has no state religion or equivalent. If there is a state religion, this should have only a symbolic meaning, not affecting the ordinary life of its citizens, and especially not making any distinction based on someone's religion. A secular state is defined as protecting freedom of religion as pursued in state secularism. It is also described to be a state that prevents religion from interfering with state affairs, and prevents religion from controlling government or exercising political power. Laws protect each individual including religious minorities from discrimination on the basis of religion. Paperback, I thought you block me because I cannot add you as my contact. Note that you had been my contact until last Monday, 12 November. I apologize to make this issue public since it is the only way to reach you. Peace.

hopeless you are wrong - It doesn't mean you can't get an Israeli citizenship - it just means it's easier for jews because of what happened... Israel accepts everyone as long as you have good intentions and good faith.. it doesn't accept terrorists as citizens but anyone that wants an Israeli citizenship can apply just like in the states/europe/austrailia you have to go through the ministry of interior process which at the end you can get citizenship that is equal to any other citizen no matter what religion you are! you can see that the Israeli arabs have a great deal of influence and their votes count just as anybody elses your welcome - I'm glad I could help - I hope you weren't offended by my straightforwardness I'll try to be more fairly pleasent when answering to others. just remember there are many Israeli-arabs with high positions. muslim - by choice you are mistaken with the fact that if you are a citizen you can not live in specific area's if someone discriminated you - you must go to court because it is illegal in israel to deny living somewhere because of religion or race or sex or anything - you should have reported the people who didn't allow you to court you would have won too. if there is discrimination you should fight it not give up - I know that I stand up for myself and when people discriminate me I ask them why - and if neccesary report them - I do. I won't stand for someone stepping on me - if you are talking about heredic jews which descriminate arabs - then first of all they are not majorities - secondly they live in a bubble that will eventually burst upon them - and thirdly if I were you I would report anyone that tries to step on me. you are a human you have rights and you have to give rights too, and i'll explain it again - although it was said above me - one of the reasons Israeli secular jews find a place in Israel is because they have been persecuted because of their heritage in their birth countries - it's still happening around the world - again, mainly in europe but it's also decreasing and for that I'm happy the world as general is a much better place then it was 100 years ago and even better the 200 years ago so you can see that we as a human race are evolving and becoming better people from year to year that is why we as humans need to keep being nice to each other and understand more and not try to hurt others on purpose. edit: thank you shanti

there's no contradiction. israel is a jewish state, but it's also a democracy with full civil rights for minorities. like france is a french state but if you're not french you still have civil rights there. or germany, or finland, or lots of other places.

hamarker gave a good exemple, israel is very complicated country , and we still evolve every day. u cen actually see a diffrance each year... there is a thin balance between riligion and democracy. status quo, we try to keep both sides satisfy

The Issue is not over relegion but because israel claims to be a jewish state but to be secular at the same time. That is sort of contradiction. As far as i know Italy does not claim to be the "catholic state". My opinion is Israel is very secular in alot of its practices but its hard to draw line between secular and non secular.

The affinity of a citizen to any state should be based on citizenship and not on religion; it should not be based on the tribe nor on the heritage of the genes of the mother. It matters because in that way it would be declaring that any citizen whose mother is not Jewish or who did not convert with Israeli's strict Orthodox rabbis is a second-rate citizen, and his rights as a human being and a citizen are not ensured. Cheers! Thanks for the information Hamarker!