Skip to main content

What Israel would look like if more students learned Arabic

Israel is situated in the heart of the Arab world, yet it fails to encourage the study of Arabic, except in a military context.
Second grade school children practise their Arabic at the Hand in Hand Arab Jewish bilingual school in Jerusalem December 3, 2014. The Hand in Hand school in Jerusalem presents an almost too-perfect scene in a tense and divided city, where Jews and Arabs do daily business but rarely befriend one other. REUTERS/Ronen Zvulun (JERUSALEM - Tags: POLITICS CIVIL UNREST EDUCATION) - GM1EAC31TX701
Read in 

“Arabic-language instruction in the Jewish sector is based on the idea that citizens of Israel should be familiar with Arabic language and culture. Arabic-language curricula have been developed in accordance with the following assumptions: Knowledge of the Arabic language is of enormous value to every citizen of Israel. The Arabic language opens a window into greater understanding of Islamic culture and the peoples of the region.”

This statement was taken from a memorandum by the Director General of the Ministry of Education concerning Arabic-language instruction in Israel’s Jewish sector. It is dated It July 2018.

Access the Middle East news and analysis you can trust

Join our community of Middle East readers to experience all of Al-Monitor, including 24/7 news, analyses, memos, reports and newsletters.

Subscribe

Only $100 per year.