A first-ever poll of how well Israelis speak, read, and write Arabic shows that while 10% of Israeli Jews can speak and understand the language, just 2.5% can read written Arabic in a newspaper, and just 1.5% can write a letter in the language. One out of one hundred Israeli Jews said they could read a book in Arabic.
The poll, presented last week at a conference at Tel Aviv University on advancing Arabic studies, also highlights major generational differences between Israelis in regard to knowledge of Arabic. Almost all those who could read and write Arabic were immigrants from Arab countries, as were the majority of Arabic speakers. In addition, the poll showed that nearly all Arabic speakers were, if not immigrants themselves, then children of immigrants from those countries. Few indeed were the children of Israeli families from European background who bothered to learn Arabic.
With that, a large percentage – 40% - of Israelis believe that Jewish children should be taught Arabic in elementary grades. However, only one-third said that it was important to maintain knowledge of Arabic as a bridge to the cultural past of Jews from eastern countries. Of those familiar with Arabic culture, only a quarter enjoyed listening to Arabic music, and just 18% said they felt comfortable speaking Arabic outside their homes.
A recent law introduced by MK Oren Hazan (Likud), calls for children as young as six to begin studying basic Arabic, but in a poll by Army Radio, parents expressed concern over the program. “Children in first and second grade have enough on their hands learning to read and write properly,” said one parent. “It would be better to implement this program in later grades, like fifth or sixth grade. Then they will be able to invest more time and effort into it.” However, others were in favor of the program. “We live among Arabs, our neighbors are Arabs, our enemies are Arabs,” said one parent. “It would be worthwhile for us to learn their language.”
The Knesset voted unanimously in favor of the bill in its first reading in October, and the bill is now being reviewed by committees for its second and third readings. According to Hazan, "Language is a door to culture. I am looking reality in the eyes and I understand there is no possibility to walk to peace without understanding each other."