That's an interesting argument, I do see what you're saying. I'd counter that since someone of any race can be a Jew by this definition, it doesn't exclude on the basis of race.
The intent is also quite clearly to establish the country as a religious nation, and while I'm quite glad to live in a secular nation (the US) I don't begrudge religious nations their right to exist (eg; islamic ones).
I also find the "or" wording of the law interesting.
I do think it's racist as it grants the privilege of abandoning the Jewish religion while remaining a legally privileged class (Jew) to people with some ancestries (Jewish) but not with others.
>I'd counter that since someone of any race can be a Jew by this definition, it doesn't exclude on the basis of race.
Ironically this is some sort of wordplay that Midrash experts love to use to circumvent outdated Talmud laws. Like, yeah, maybe you are right from the strict point of narrow literal interpretation that ignores any pragmatics, but who cares about that anyway.
The intent is also quite clearly to establish the country as a religious nation, and while I'm quite glad to live in a secular nation (the US) I don't begrudge religious nations their right to exist (eg; islamic ones).
(disclaimer, I am a secular Jew)