One of the things that I have become much more aware of while working with and around Arab citizens of Israel, is the unfortunate fact that, despite being the second official language in Israel after Hebrew, the Arabic language does not receive the same status and usage. This shows in many ways; for one, very few Jewish Israelis (including myself) speak fluent or even partial Arabic. In most public, and some private schools, studying the Arabic language is mandatory between the 7th and 9th grades, however, despite being offered in subsequent years in high-school, very few students choose to pursue it. On the flip side, in order to get by in Israel, the Arab citizens must speak fluent, or at least semi-fluent, Hebrew. This is explained by the fact that Israel is a JEWISH and Democratic state, and Hebrew is the language of the Jewish people.
This reality also translates itself in the higher use of the English language on street and road signs than Arabic. Arabic is only seen on road signs to central destinations on major roads and on road signs to Arab villages, while English can be found even on the smallest street sign in a small town, like Zichron-Ya'akov- my home town.
This is just one of many factors that frustrates the Arab population in Israel and causes for further schism in Israeli society. So, should something be done to change this reality, or, in light of much bigger problems, this should be left to a later time? Just something to think about...
Road sign with three languages
A street sign in Zichron-Ya'akov
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