
It’s not exactly correct to call it theocratic. Their religious courts (particularly the orthodox Jewish court obviously) have way too much influence in government, but it is not properly a theocracy. In fact the reason a lot of ultra-orthodox Jews are against Israel is because it’s too secular.
I think calling it an ethnostate is correct though. Like i don’t really know if there’s a way to argue that’s not the case. It’s dominated by a particular ethnic group and explicitly exists to further the interests of that ethnic group but not others. Israel doesn’t limit citizenship or voting rights only to Jews, but the government is comprehensively dominated by them and exists primarily to serve their interests.
idk bro i don’t really think the culture of israel is relevant to whether or not they’re a genocidal ethnostate. like i don’t need to understand the entire history of russia to criticize them for invading ukraine, yk? they’re invading a sovereign nation they can be criticized for it.
I am very informed in Israeli history. I think calling the Gaza war a genocide is accurate. Even if you don’t think it meets that level, the government is still committing ethnic cleansing, collective punishment, settler colonialism, and a slew of other war crimes. So they’re not off the hook either way. Israel defenders seem to always disappear when it’s clear I know what I’m talking about.