Final answer:
The State of Israel symbolizes the establishment of a Jewish homeland and a place of safety and refuge for Jewish people.
Step-by-step explanation:
The State of Israel symbolizes the establishment of a Jewish homeland, which was seen as necessary after the Nazi Holocaust. For Gerda, as a Jewish person who experienced the Holocaust, the creation of Israel represented a place of safety and refuge for Jewish people where they could have their own state and be free from persecution.
The State of Israel also holds historical and cultural significance for the Jewish people and serves as a symbol of Jewish identity and resilience.