Providing more context in intro

In the opening paragraph and introduction, you describe that Israel is relatively tolerant compared to other conservative countries in the Middle East. I think it would be helpful for your readers if you provided some references, facts and background here. So mention Israel is more tolerant socially and legally, but what does that exactly mean? What are tolerant laws? What does tolerance look like socially? And how does one measure tolerance or conservatism? I think it might be too strong a statement to say Israel is more tolerant/less conservative in ALL ways compared to other countries in the Middle East (either way, such statements need some backing).