Non-denominational countries like the US are very rare exceptions around the world. For example, most countries in Europe include their Christian tradition in their state operation, such as in their flag, calendar, education, and more. For example, the British head of state is also the head of the national church (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Supreme_Governor_of_the_Church_of_England ); in Italy all government facilities display a cross and Catholicism is part of school curriculum (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Religious_education#Italy ), while Orthodox Christianity is part of the state curriculum in Greece (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Religious_education#Greece). The connection between national identity and religions is even more pronounced in the Arab world, where Islam is part of state law & education. Israel is like most countries in the world that base their state culture on a primary religion. However, it is unique in that it is the only country in the world where the primary religion is Judaism. This means that its holidays and calendar follow Jewish tradition, while welcoming people of all religions to practice freely. To Jews around the world, Israel functions as a “safe space”, both physically, culturally, and emotionally. Israel has an excellent (though not perfect) track record of internal coexistence and allowing people of all other faiths to practice freely (while elsewhere in the region mingling of cultures has often led to in-state sectarian violence and bloodshed).