Some MKs on the right side of the political spectrum, from the parties including Yisrael Beyteynu, Likud and Habayit Hayehudi, are working to propose a new law.
The new law would really just be the cancellation of a clause that was adopted from the British Mandate.
The law proposal would be to take away the status of Arabic as an official language of the State of Israel. If the law would pass, Israel would no longer publish its official forms and announcements in Arabic, as it does now in addition to Hebrew. As well, the Arabic language would cease to be used in government offices and in the courts. The proposal does make an exception for road signs, saying road signs would continue to be published with Arabic included, as everybody has the right to use the language they prefer.
The law is being proposed by MK Shimon Ohayoun (Yisrael Beyteynu), in coordination with MKs Dovid Rotem and Chemed Amar, along with moshe Feiglin (Likud) and Orit Strouk (Habayit Hayehudi).
There have been attempts to pass similar laws in the past, always unsuccessfully.
The reason for the proposal is that most countries have their national language, the language spoken by most of its population. The Hebrew language as the national language needs to be anchored in law. Passing the proposal would effect more societal cohesion and would build a collective identity...
source: Haaretz
I don't have a strong opinion on this. I am in favor of it generally, despite the acknowledgement that we still have a sizable Muslim population. It does help that many of the Muslims are splitting off of Israel - whether in the West Bank or Gaza, but there will still be plenty that will remain in Israel as Israeli citizens. I dont know if that justifies its status as a national language, but it leaves me in the position of being in favor, but not strongly. It is actually probably more justified to add Amharic or Russian as official languages than to leave Arabic as an official language.
Even though the timing is so close to the conflict/war with Gaza, at least that is not the official reason being given.
I do think it is good to have one language and promote only Hebrew. we have minority languages of all types in use. If they are not protected, Arabic need not be either. It can, obviously, still be used, it just wont have official status.
------------------------------------------------------
Reach thousands of readers with your ad by advertising on Life in Israel
------------------------------------------------------
