Correct Option
The correct option is (c).
Explanation
The nature of a state regarding religion determines whether it is secular, theocratic, or has an established state religion. A secular state does not uphold any particular religion as the official religion of the state. In contrast, states like Israel are defined by a specific religious or ethnic character.
Statement-wise Analysis
- Statement 1 is Incorrect: Israel is not a secular state in the strict sense of maintaining total neutrality or separation from religion. It explicitly defines itself as the "Nation-State of the Jewish People," thereby linking the state's identity to a specific religion and ethnicity.
- Statement 2 is Correct: The state has faced significant criticism from international human rights organizations and political bodies regarding the treatment of its non-Jewish minorities, specifically Arab Muslims and Christians, concerning civil rights and equality.
- Statement 3 is Correct: Israel provides official recognition and special status to Judaism. The Basic Law: Israel as the Nation-State of the Jewish People (2018) enshrines the status of the state as the national home of the Jewish people, distinguishing it from secular democracies that do not recognize a state religion.
Key Takeaway: Unlike a secular state (e.g., India, USA) which has no official religion, Israel is a state with a specific religious character, officially recognizing Judaism as central to its national identity.