Livni: Israel not a rabbis' monopoly
Israel is not a religious state but mainly a nation-state, Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni said Wednesday in a speech at the 2008 United Jewish Communities' General Assembly held at the Jerusalem International Convention Center.
"Israel is not a monopoly of rabbis," the Kadima chairwoman noted. "Israel is a Jewish state, but a Jewish state is not a religious state but mainly a nation-state."
She explained, "We must not forget Israel's ultimate goal to be a Jewish, democratic state living in complete security. A Jewish state is the nature, tradition and history of our people, regardless of what one chooses to do at one's own home on Shabbat and holidays.
