As part of our ongoing look at “Israel – Jewish State, or State of Jews?” we conducted special interviews with two leading voices on this subject.

These two men, Minister of Religious Affairs Matan Kahana and former Member of Knesset Rabbi Yehuda Glick, agreed to shed light on this tricky topic for the readers of Israel Today.

As the current Minister of Religious Affairs, Matan Kahana is leading the move to reform Orthodox control over conversions to Judaism, kosher regulations and more. He is a reserve colonel in the IDF who served as a fighter pilot in the Israel Air Force. Kahana is part of Prime Minister Naftali Bennet’s right-wing Yamina party.

Israel Today: How can Israel be both a “Jewish State” and a democracy?

Kahana: The tension between the Jewish character of the State of Israel and the commitment to the principles of democracy is one of the main obstacles that accompany the...

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