SHlishi, you are right about that line. and here is the official reason for the current wording, from the WZO and the Jewish Agency who made the change.
“When the Jewish people pray their eyes, hearts and prayers are directed toward Israel and Jerusalem. For many long painful years, the land of Israel was in the hands of foreigners. The Jews who lived in Palestine were not free. Yet their hope for freedom and independence never died. The second stanza of the Hatikva recalls the undying hope of Jews through the generation, Jews who lived in other countries and Jews who had remained in Palestine.”
Oh, yeah, lots of apikorsus there.
Also, when Imber wrote, there were few Jews in Israel. When the change was made, there was a substantial Jewish settlement, so going from “lashuv El Eretz Avotenu” for those who werent there, to Lihyot am chofshi for those who were, is a reasonable update.
Cherrybim, who said he was a role model? I just gave a number of proofs that the slander about the anthem and the poem was a lie, and you are building a straw man about his character. Poor debating skills.