Ultra-Orthodox young men curse and spit at Christian clergymen in the streets of Jerusalem's Old City as a matter of routine. In most cases the clergymen ignore the attacks, but sometimes they strike back. Last week the Jerusalem Magistrate's Court quashed the indictment against an Armenian priesthood student who had punched the man who spat at him.
One might have thought, after the horrors of World War II, that the heritage of Israel's founders would have been the creation of a society which would encourage religious tolerance, moderation, and respect for everyone's basic human rights.
Sadly, the absolute antithesis of these values has been practiced here; so what we see in 21st century Israel, is a wretchedly apartheid, self-proclaimed theocracy with nuclear weapons.
This is a really lousy outcome, not only for Israel, but also the world world at large.