I said they were in exile for that period and therefore NOT a nation as it presently exists
They were in exile from 135 AD, not 600 AD. Rome crush Israel in the final revolt of 135 AD. THAT is when the Romans stuck the name that we are stuck with today hearing, PALESTINE!!! on the country there. They also stuck another name on Jerusalem, but that did not stick like Palestine did. 135 AD. Just keep repeating that date. THAT is when Israel was destroyed final. Not 600 AD. A few revolts by a very very few little groups of zealots does not constitute a nation at war.