12 hours ago, Evil Penevil said:

Israel doesn't have a written constitution, but it's governmental structure is provided by 14 Basic Laws

The problem with "Basic Laws" is that they can be overturned by a majority vote in the Knesset, which is what Netanyahu et al were trying to do to undermine the somewhat independent Supreme Court in 2023. The provisions of a constitution should be difficult to amend, to provide social and political stability. As I mentioned before, the 1948 Declaration of Independence envisaged a constitution that would provide equal rights for all citizens.

6 hours ago, placnx said:

There were incidents before October 23 when Israeli police invaded the al Aqsa Mosque building in the Haram al-Sharif. They beat people with their batons. This was incredibly shocking to me, and no doubt to Muslims.

To humans...

What makes a theocracy?

Copious amounts of propaganda to tell the plebs which are "good theocracies" and which are "bad theocracies." If the propaganda is meant to frame a republic as a theocracy, then the fact that the republic has elections is ignored and the plebs are showed with horror stories of theocratic dictators and their religious hencemen "killing their own people."

The name of the game is "Manufacturing Consent." If you want to frame a country as "a bad theocracy" in order to get the plebs to provide both explicit and implicit consent to spend hundreds of billions of tax dollars in attempt to destroy the so-called "bad theocracy" with weapons of war ($$$Cha-Ching$$$) while enriching your own war industries and the politicians they pay, the just keep repeating: "Country X is a Bad Theocracy and a religious dictatorship and the evil leader kills his own people and forces innocent people to <enter rites, rituals, and customs here> against their will and shoots violators in the streets." Repeat over and over and over again - hundred and thousands of time until everyone you know is repeating, "Country X is a Bad Theocracy and a religious dictatorship and the evil leader kills his own people and forces innocent people to <enter rites, rituals, and customs here> against their will and shoots violators in the streets," verbatim. Then claim a responsibility to protect and invade the country and blame the civilian deaths (collateral damage) on the "evil theocracy." After the invasion, steal the natural resources and claim that the theft "helps the civilians of the country to embrace free and democracy." Ignore children dying in the streets for lack of food. Blame the "evil theologians" whom you conquered.

8 hours ago, Jingthing said:

Israel obviously is NOT a theocracy.

Of course it is. Would you like to move there. Sorry, ain't happening unless you are "Jewish." Next you'll say that Judaism isn't a religion. Judaism is a "good theocracy." They are "God's Chosen People" and therefore they can do no wrong and they are literally Perfect in the Eyes of God. You aren't possibly antisemitic by denying Judaism are you? 🤔 Hummmmm???

2 hours ago, connda said:

Of course it is. Would you like to move there. Sorry, ain't happening unless you are "Jewish." Next you'll say that Judaism isn't a religion. Judaism is a "good theocracy." They are "God's Chosen People" and therefore they can do no wrong and they are literally Perfect in the Eyes of God. You aren't possibly antisemitic by denying Judaism are you? 🤔 Hummmmm???

As far as immigration to Israel yes the law of return path based on ancestry (for example a Jewish mother means the person is a Jewish person as Jewish culture is MATRINLINEAL in the anthropological TRIBAL sense) is indeed the most popular path, there are other paths as well.

There ALSO exists a rules based path to citizenship of Israel for NON-Jews which involves three years of permanent residency and learning Hebrew.

Of course Judaism is a religion but Jewish is also a people. To disprove your disgusting ignorant hateful post, indeed openly atheist Jews qualify under Israel's law of return immigration as the law is based on ANCESTRY rather than religious belie

Many other countries have easier ancestry paths as well.

For Americans, Italy and Ireland have been very popular for that, although recently Italy changed their rules to include fewer people that way.

12 hours ago, Jingthing said:

As far as immigration to Israel yes the law of return path based on ancestry (for example a Jewish mother means the person is a Jewish person as Jewish culture is MATRINLINEAL in the anthropological TRIBAL sense) is indeed the most popular path, there are other paths as well.

There ALSO exists a rules based path to citizenship of Israel for NON-Jews which involves three years of permanent residency and learning Hebrew.

Of course Judaism is a religion but Jewish is also a people. To disprove your disgusting ignorant hateful post, indeed openly atheist Jews qualify under Israel's law of return immigration as the law is based on ANCESTRY rather than religious belie

Many other countries have easier ancestry paths as well.

For Americans, Italy and Ireland have been very popular for that, although recently Italy changed their rules to include fewer people that way.

Jing, it disturbs me that you call this a "hateful post". What's hateful about it, please. Don't be a knee-jerk when somebody, whether out of ignorance or malice, uses words like 'god's chosen people'. The Bible/Torah created that trope. Apparently, a lot of people believe it just like God bless America!

On 2/25/2026 at 3:15 AM, unblocktheplanet said:

Some, not all, of my Israeli friends and Jews overseas have argued Israel is not a theocracy. I posit that a de facto religious state is a theocracy.

theocracy: government of a state by immediate divine guidance or by officials who are regarded as divinely guided

Israel is not a theocracy; it is governed by elected officials. Religious leaders do not rule Israel, and a secular legislature enacts the laws. The judicial system operates under civil law.

1 hour ago, unblocktheplanet said:

Jing, it disturbs me that you call this a "hateful post". What's hateful about it, please. Don't be a knee-jerk when somebody, whether out of ignorance or malice, uses words like 'god's chosen people'. The Bible/Torah created that trope. Apparently, a lot of people ir believe it just like God bless America!

It was a troll bait post filled with ignorant vile insinuations and inflammatory accusations.

If you didn't get that, that's on you.

This is easily the most aggressive and aggravating post I've ever seen! Don't you know how to edit?!?

On 2/25/2026 at 3:15 PM, unblocktheplanet said:

Israel’s constitution guarantees freedom of religion and conscience.

they don't have any conscience, if they did they would have let the ambulance go by to rescue the kid, instead they stay around overlooking a dying human been and planting evidence to support their lies, it's obvious the guy dropping the rock and later accuse the kid of throwing a rock at them, how can that be, the kid was half dead and nothing on his hands, the video shows clearly what the Israel military did and they want the world sympathy for these type of actions

This story contains details and video that some readers may find distressing.

As Jad lay collapsed in an alley, the soldiers created a cordon around him and blocked two Palestinian ambulances from reaching him.

According to video footage and eyewitness testimony, the soldiers – 14 in total – then stood around Jad casually for at least 45 minutes while he bled from one or more gunshot wounds.

Israeli soldiers shot a Palestinian boy and stood around as he bled to death, video shows

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cpqwv9vvzx9o

Okay, a Jewish joke. I hope some readers have been watching the five seasons of The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel.

The father says to the son: Don't you know shiksas are just for practice?

56 minutes ago, Mavideol said:

they don't have any conscience,

Yeah, that's devolved into real grease-ball sh*t.

Like mobsters.

Very sad to watch that.

1 hour ago, unblocktheplanet said:

Okay, a Jewish joke. I hope some readers have been watching the five seasons of The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel.

The father says to the son: Don't you know shiksas are just for practice?

Traditional Jewish parents will always pressure their children to marry within the faith. It makes sense. In the modern context with such a very tiny minority group that was historically recently massively reduced by genocide. Of course not all Jewish parents are traditional and not all Jewish kids listen to their parents as mixed marriages of many kinds are common. There are many half Asian kids at temples these days.

Maybe you'll find this "funny" as you seem to be some kind of weird variation of a Hebrewphile. When my parents found out I was gay, they informed me, you know girls give BJs too, and offered to pay for a (female) prostitute That's even funnier as it's a big stereotype in Jewish humor that Jewish girls especially JAPS (Jewish meaning) don't give BJs.

3 hours ago, unblocktheplanet said:

How much influence does the Rabbinate have on govt?

The answer to that question depends on your perspective. The Rabbinate has no direct influence on decisions by the executive, legislative or non-religious judicial branches, but has major influence regarding personal religious matters, such as marriage, divorce, burial, conversion and kosher food. There is no civil marriage or divorce in Israel.

3 hours ago, unblocktheplanet said:

Does the Rabbinate operate from its own rules, independent of govt?

In terms of rulings made on issues arising from traditional Jewish law (Halakha), the Rabbinate is independent. Implementation of these religious court decisions may depend on cooperation with the government.

3 hours ago, unblocktheplanet said:

Crucially, does the IDF have the unconditional support of the Rabbinate?

The Rabbinate does not always support the IDF on questions of religious practice by IDF members, i.e., exemptions for ultraorthodox Jews; observing the Sabbath and Jewish holidays; the role of women in the military; and the burial of non-Jewish soldiers. However, the Rabbinate doesn't criticize the IDF for its military actions against Hamas and other enemies.

On 2/26/2026 at 4:06 PM, unblocktheplanet said:

Ev, I agree that Iranian elections may not be as free and fair as Israel’s.

How much influence does the Rabbinate have on govt? Does the Rabbinate operate from its own rules, independent of govt? How much influence does the Rabbinate have on govt.

Crucially, does the IDF have the unconditional support of the Rabbinate?

It sounds like the Rabbinate has great control over Jewish lives. Those lives constitute the overwhelming majority of citizenry.

“Democracy” is quicksand, hard to hold in the hand, in most countries.

“Independent judiciary”—by whose powers, then, are all those Palestinians imprisoned, sometimes for years without charge?

Mandated by the Basic Laws, “freedom of conscience”…except for conscientious objectors to conscription and refuseniks in the IDF.

Are elections in Iran “free and fair”? Dunno, but there are 290 assemblymen (women?) elected by ‘popular vote’. Some seats are “reserved for religious minorities”.

Is election to the Knesset irrespective of religious affiliation?

I won’y use those knee-jerk tropes that people feel are antisemitic. But is there not an element of divine right to Israel’s place in the world and particularly the conduct of its IDF?

I still see the most hopeful outcome to be a two-state solution, which has to include the dismantling & banishment of Hamas and a return to the more moderate PA (?). Surrender of weapons would be smart, too.

But a crucial part of this is good faith from Israel. Meaning, eviction of the settlers. There has been horrifying violence there while police or soldiers stand idle rather than protecting Palestinians. Israel has enough land. It doesn’t need the West Bank.

The Palestinian refugees I have met with here in Bangkok are stateless. They were given temporary travel documents to get to Bangkok and await resettlement in third countries.

Israel must address the issue of statelessness. They live in Israel, if not a second state, then an Israeli autonomous, self-governing territory meaning an Israeli passport or some sort of UN refugee passport.

Sorry, I’ve deviated from the subject!

I am not asking any of this in an aggressive way or with any agenda, hidden or otherwise. I’m genuinely interested for a broader understanding.

You could just admit, you didn't have a clue what Theocracy was. Oh yea, and TH has not accepted any Palestinian refugees from Gaza. So who are you talking to in BKK ?

Give you the benefit of the doubt, as you seem to be clueless, so maybe you are confusing them with Syrian refugees, which have nothing to do with current Israeli conflict.

15 hours ago, Jingthing said:

Traditional Jewish parents will always pressure their children to marry within the faith. It makes sense. In the modern context with such a very tiny minority group that was historically recently massively reduced by genocide. Of course not all Jewish parents are traditional and not all Jewish kids listen to their parents as mixed marriages of many kinds are common. There are many half Asian kids at temples these days.

Maybe you'll find this "funny" as you seem to be some kind of weird variation of a Hebrewphile. When my parents found out I was gay, they informed me, you know girls give BJs too, and offered to pay for a (female) prostitute That's even funnier as it's a big stereotype in Jewish humor that Jewish girls especially JAPS (Jewish meaning) don't give BJs.

You got exactly where I intended to go with this great joke. As I really can't imagine getting a BJ from a guy, or even katoey, I think it must have been the same for you. Did your parents work through all that for you? Love usually wins.

I had not heard that stereotype. But in my New York experience, it's a myth and a lie! Even the princesses...

Dunno about "Hebrewphile". I just have a deep curiosity and try not to leave anybody out.

14 hours ago, Evil Penevil said:

There is no civil marriage or divorce in Israel.

The Rabbinate does not always support the IDF on questions of religious practice by IDF members, i.e., exemptions for ultraorthodox Jews; observing the Sabbath and Jewish holidays; the role of women in the military; and the burial of non-Jewish soldiers. However, the Rabbinate doesn't criticize the IDF for its military actions against Hamas and other enemies.

Thanks. Much like the Sangha governance here. Quite amazed by no civil marriages. Do non-Jews have to simply 'live in sin'?!?

You mention the Rabbinate doesn't criticise govt's military actions. Do you think that's to keep the political peace? Or something deeper? The Bible seems to support anything one can dream up. An eye for an eye vs thou sahalt not kill.

13 hours ago, KhunLA said:

You could just admit, you didn't have a clue what Theocracy was. Oh yea, and TH has not accepted any Palestinian refugees from Gaza. So who are you talking to in BKK ?

Give you the benefit of the doubt, as you seem to be clueless, so maybe you are confusing them with Syrian refugees, which have nothing to do with current Israeli conflict.

Look, we're all here to get a greater understanding so there's no need for finger-pointing or insults--even if they make you feel like a big man. I think there's more to theocracy than the classic one about religious leaders forming govts.

Of course, (clueless), Thailand has not accepted any Palestinians AS refugees. But Thai govt looks the other way to permit Palestinian 'tourists' entry on other passports. Yes, often Syrian, though they have escaped to Syria not fleeing it.

They obviously want settlement in third countries and apply immediately to the UNHCR here. That means they overstay their visas and are in great jeopardy until acceptance abroad. They live virtually in hiding. Not a nice life but better than life in Gaza.

The main difference is that Israel is a pure

capitalist based society...however the Iranians

use their hold on religion to hog most of the

business , private and military .

37 minutes ago, unblocktheplanet said:

You got exactly where I intended to go with this great joke. As I really can't imagine getting a BJ from a guy, or even katoey, I think it must have been the same for you. Did your parents work through all that for you? Love usually wins.

I had not heard that stereotype. But in my New York experience, it's a myth and a lie! Even the princesses...

Dunno about "Hebrewphile". I just have a deep curiosity and try not to leave anybody out.

The "funniest" part of my parents attempt to inform me about who does or doesn't do BJs at the time was their apparent block against the thought that having a gay son usually means giving and getting them, I suppose they thought of their darling son as "trade" only.

On 2/25/2026 at 3:15 PM, unblocktheplanet said:

Only Jews are conscripted to fight in the IDF. There are 200 conscientious objectors imprisoned and hundreds of refusenik reservists.

Israel’s constitution guarantees freedom of religion and conscience. Of course that

Not quite true. The Druze are also conscripted. Also the Circassians who are Sunni Muslims

On 2/26/2026 at 3:22 PM, 1tooth said:

of course, this country is a theocracy. it's obvious, but the press will never mention that. Notice the dissenting posts won't debate this point. Instead they will attack the op.

Actually, they are very specifically addressed this point. Theocratic state is a state that is ruled by religious authorities.

Whatever the defects of Israel may be, that is not the case.

11 minutes ago, Alan Zweibel said:

Not quite true. The Druze are also conscripted. Also the Circassians who are Sunni Muslims

Actually I did know about Druze as I wrote a chapter about them in my new book. I did not, however, look at the numbers. 5% of IDF soldiers are Druze, 80-85% of Druze men. (Do Druze not allow Druze women in the military?) There are Druze refuseniks.

The Circassians I had no idea about. In fact, I hadn't even heard their name. No figures accessible but a tiny population. Circassian leaders actually requested conscription in 1958 likely to show their loyalty to the Jewish state.

They serve as soldiers and border guards even in combat situations.

This crazy enmity among Muslims speaks to fanaticism. Palestinians are mostly Shia Muslims so it would seem Circassians can fire on their own kind.

Imagine Haredi fighting Reformed with violence--ridiculous! Any religion evolves with time, sidelocks and hats, too, whether they are aware of it or not!

Thanks for this.