According to the official definition, Israel is a “Jewish Democratic State,” which was enshrined into law and endorsed by the Israeli High Court of Justice. In 1992, the Israeli parliament passed a Basic Law regarding Human Dignity and Liberty, which stated,  “The Purpose of this Basic Law is to protect human dignity and liberty, in order to establish in a Basic Law the values of the State of Israel as a Jewish and democratic state.” The tension between these two terms functioning in a multi-ethno-religious state such as Israel, where approximately 1 in 5 citizens is not Jewish, has led to a great deal of debate. Gavison, Ruth, “Jewish and Democratic? A Rejoinder to the “Ethnic Democracy” Debate.” Israeli Studies, Vol. 4, No. 1 (March 1999); and Oz-Salberger, F. “But is it Good for Democracy? Israel’s Dilemna.” World Affairs Vol. 173, No. 1 (2010), pp. 62-69.  http://www.justvision.org/glossary/jewish-democratic-state-debate