‘Why did the Jewish people name their new country "Israel" and not "Judea" or "Jehuda"?’

 The establishment of the modern state of Israel in 1948 was influenced by a variety of factors, including historical, political, and cultural considerations. The choice of the name "Israel" for the new state reflects a connection to historical roots and a desire to evoke the ancient Kingdom of Israel from biblical times.

Here are a few reasons why the name "Israel" was chosen over alternatives like "Judea" or "Jehuda":

1. **Biblical Significance:** The name "Israel" has deep biblical roots in Jewish history. In the Hebrew Bible (Tanakh), the patriarch Jacob was given the name Israel after wrestling with an angel. The twelve tribes of Israel, descended from Jacob's twelve sons, formed the ancient Kingdom of Israel. By adopting the name "Israel" for the modern state, there was an intentional connection to this historical and religious legacy.

2. **Unity of the Jewish People:** The term "Israel" encompasses a broader sense of unity among the Jewish people. While "Judea" specifically refers to the southern part of the historical Land of Israel and has historical and religious significance, the choice of "Israel" reflects the aspiration to unite Jews from different regions and backgrounds under a common national identity.

3. **Zionist Movement:** The Zionist movement, which advocated for the establishment of a Jewish homeland, played a crucial role in the formation of the modern state of Israel. The movement drew inspiration from the historical connection of the Jewish people to the land, and the name "Israel" reflected this connection in a comprehensive way, beyond specific historical or regional designations.

4. **Symbolic Representation:** "Israel" is a name that carries symbolic weight in terms of representing the restoration of a sovereign Jewish state in the historic Land of Israel. The choice of this name was meant to convey a sense of continuity with the past, the fulfillment of historical aspirations, and the reestablishment of Jewish sovereignty in the land.

While "Israel" was chosen as the official name, it's worth noting that "Judea" and "Jehuda" continue to have cultural and historical significance, and various places and entities within Israel may use these names in different contexts. The decision to name the state "Israel" was a complex one, reflecting a desire to encapsulate the multifaceted historical and religious dimensions of the Jewish people.