'envisioning it to be a democratic state, independent and free, a champion of human rights, a force of unity for world Jewry, united in its citizenry, admired by its friends, envied by its detractors, and above all at peace with the Arab states and especially with the Palestinians.

Israel is not and never has been a democracy. One of the minimum requirements of a democracy is that all citizens are equal and all are equal before the law. There is more but that is enough.

You forgot to mention that in the past young Jews did their military service and then left Israel whereas now increasing numbers are leaving Israel before doing military service.

The Jews expect the world to be appalled at every slight, or imagined slight that a Jew suffers, while the rest of the world shrugs and gets on with life. The one thing that most everybody would agree with is that the Jews are the worlds greatest whingers.

Imagine if the Irish had recorded every slight they had been subjected too, there would not be enough data storage to record it all!

Quote "Israeli Jews remain occupied with the perceived threats to their security from Iran and Palestinian extremism."

** Your use of the word perceived is wrong it implies suspected threat, fact is Iran and the PA have categorically stated they want to wipe Israel off the map so to speak. **

Correct Philip! Even so, Israel, oops, Israeli politicians and a few traditional hardliners are not helping! Neither is the ongoing and continual expansion of illegal settlements nor the endless occupation by Israel of another nation's sovereign territory, way beyond the Balfour arrangement.

Young Israelis are voting with their feet! As are those more democratic Jews in Europe and America.

In pre-war Germany, a young Jew from America decided to visit his parents to see if he couldn't persuade them to leave. Anyhow, when he called a neighbour informed him they had gone out to a concert.

He to fill in time as much as anything, decided to get a bite to eat, but was afraid of all the big establishments, their German owners and staff for obvious if unstated reasons.

Eventually, he settled on a Chinese restaurant. Went in and asked the proprietor, "do you serve Jews?" "Sure replied the beaming owner, what kind of jews you want?" We got apple jews, grape jews and orange Jews.
Alan B.

Compared to the lack of liberalism, equality and tolerance practiced by Israel's neighbours (Lebanon, Syria, Jordan and Egypt) Israel is progressive.