Dan Sanchez To say that the state of Israel sponsors religious extremism is ridiculous. Israel is the only country in the neighborhood that has a Gay Pride parade to begin with. Israel has women serving the the military. And driving cars. And voting. Israel provides its women with an education. Israel officially offers its Christian and Arab citizens equal rights, freedom of worship, and helps maintain Muslim and Christina holy sites. The religious extremists which dominate many, if not most of the surrounding countries do not allow for any of the above to happen in their countries. Just try to open a synagogue or wear religious Jewish symbols in most of these countries. Conversely, Israel guarantees freedom of worship and keeps access to Muslim and Christian religious sites for all of its citizens. Your statement: “Both attacks are to a great extent rooted in a religious extremism that has been sponsored and harnessed by the State of Israel.” is patently false.