Hitchens is confused and confusing. He does not seem to understand the meaning of 'Jewish state' as Israelis understand it.

The Jewish state is one in which the great majority of its citizens are Jewish. It is one in which the Hebrew calendar plays a central part in the life of the country. The High Holidays, Hanukah, Pesach are holidays for the country as a whole. The Jewish state is ideally one which lives in accordance with moral principles given in traditional religious sources. The Jewish state aims to be a 'light to the nations'.

The Jewish state is also the 'home' to which Jews from all over the world have come to live, and can come to live should they choose.

It is impossible to understand the meaning of this unless one understands Jewish history , a history of persecution and catastrophe in which the Jews could not defend themselves.

There is only one Jewish state in which Jewish religion and culture set the tone for the society as a whole. There are on the other hand dozens of 'Christian culture' and Islamic dominated states.

One more point. Israel was created to be a Jewish state. This was its purpose in coming into being. And the thousands who sacrificed their lives did so to help a Jewish state live and thrive..

The imperative of survival for Israel then is as a Jewish state.

This is a very clear, concise statement of one side of what is, unfortunately, not a one-sided issue.

It is one sided. It is not an issue to be made into two sides either.

The crux of the Arab/ Palestinian complaint is that ALL the land is Islamic holy land since they captured it centuries ago. It is a religious issue for them that the occupiers be subjugated or driven out.

There never will be peace among traditionally inspired Arabs and Palestinians and without the strength to defend, any people will succumb to those who would conquer them. That is the point here. How many times should Jews be attacked without having the means to fight back? That same question can be asked of any people. However, the point of view of imperialistic Islamists is quite clear, they captured it, they own it forever and it doesn't matter when or who from.

It seems to me that "the Jewish state", (in both the political and psychological sense of the word), is all-too-often one of "anxiety" ! I'm a pretty good actress, and sometimes, early in the morning, as I lay in bed, I'm able to convince myself, for just a little while, that I'm NOT Jewish. Or pretend I am not Jewish to myself, and actually can believe it for a few minutes. Ahhh............the sense of freedom -- from fear of anti-semites, and "super-semites" alike...A sense that I'm NOT tied down to a choice of either accepting hoary-tradition, A feeling that I can truly be my OWN person, first,...

A TRUE democracy does not advertize itself as a Jewish state. - or a Christian stae, or a Moslem state. A true democracy should honour those professing all religions - and or no religion -- equally. (The USA, though often described as a "Christian" state, still has "freedom of religion", listed in our written consititution. We try to make all religions equal. Sadly, Israel doesn't.

Anxiety? I orefer tranquility. Both as the atmosphere of MY chosen country, (the USA!!!!), -- thus engendering for my emotional state as well! I am happy in "galut" or diasphora.

"Assimilation is my salvation", as it is that of many others, I am sure./ Life has enough problems without bieng Jewish. For, not only is, "Assimilation My Salfavtion", but, as I always like to tell myself, "Judaism is a Cross that I cross thatI I choose not to bear. America teaches individuality, and ambition. That's good enough for me. "USA, ALL THE WAY!"

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