Dec. 9: Israel Is a Jewish State - But Not a Theocracy

By Sylvia Gurinsky


Add Israel Justice Minister Yaakov Neeman to the list of leaders from that country who have put a foot squarely in their mouths.


At a rabbinical conference Monday, Neeman said he believes Halacha, the Jewish law, should become Israel's binding law - although he later said his words were taken out of context.


They'd better be out of context. Israel was created as a Jewish state, but also as a democracy that protects the rights of all. Israel is not, and should not be a theocracy.